Fair Housing Assistance Program-State and Local (14.401)

Program

14.401 Fair Housing Assistance Program-State and Local

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office: Office Of Fair Housing And Equal Opportunity

Authorization

The Fair Housing Act 42 U.S.C. 3600 et seq.

Program Number

14.401

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide assistance to State and local fair housing enforcement agencies for complaint processing, training, technical assistance, education and outreach, data and information systems and other activities that will further fair housing within the agency's jurisdiction. The intent of the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) is to build a coordinated intergovernmental enforcement of fair housing laws and provide incentives for States and localities to assume a greater share of responsibility for adminisitering fair housing laws.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

State and local fair housing enforcement agencies in the first year of participation in the FHAP receive a fixed amount of funding to build the capacity of the agency to enforce substantially equivalent fair housing laws. Agencies in the second year and beyond are eligible to receive contributions funding which provides funds for complaint processing, administrative costs, and training associated with the enforcement of a substantially equivalent fair housing law.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Application for participation from State and local government agencies is encouraged for jurisdictions with current or new/pending State and local fair housing laws and ordinances. The funding process includes a requirement to obtain HUD interim certification of the applicant agency's State and local fair housing laws and ordinances as providing substantially equivalent rights and remedies as those provided by the Fair Housing Act. Eligible applicants include State and local government fair housing enforcement agencies administering State and local fair housing laws and ordinances which have been interim certified by HUD as providing substantially equivalent rights and remedies as those provided by the Fair Housing Act and which have executed formal written Agreements with HUD to process housing discrimination complaints.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Any person or group of persons aggrieved by a discriminatory housing practice because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. None.

Award Procedure

None.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Title Certification and Funding of State and Local Fair Housing Enforcement Agencies, Chapter 24, Part 115.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Cooperative agreements are executed for one year, they are non-competitive, and provide funding for complaint processing, administrative costs, and training for contribution agencies. Capacity building funds are also provided under a cooperative agreement for a one year period. For detailed program information under each funding component, contact the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Region or Headquarters Office. Fixed price cooperative agreements are anticipated to be awarded with payments to be made in accordance with a schedule of dates set out in the cooperative agreements. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. .

Records

State and local agencies are required to maintain housing discrimination complaint files for a period of one year after closure.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In Fiscal Year 2008, HUD added two additional jurisdictions to the program. Fiscal Year 2009: There are currently 110 state and local jurisdictions receiving funding under this program. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

86-0144-0-1-751.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $25,620,000; FY 09 est $25,500,000; FY 10 est $29,500,000. (Formula Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 08 $25,323,000; FY 09 est $25,330,000; FY 10 est $27,500,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Funding is provided for capacity building, complaint processing, training, and administrative costs.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

See 24 CFR Part 115 for regulations on the Certification and Funding of State and local Fair Housing Enforcement Agencies.

Related Programs

14.408 Fair Housing Initiatives Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices.

Headquarters Office

Kenneth J. Carroll 451 7th Street, S.W., Room 5206, Washington, District of Columbia 20410 Email: Kennth.J.Carroll@hud.gov Phone: 202 402-7044

Web Site Address

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/partners/FHAP/index.cfm.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Funding to a state or local agency is contingent on appropriation from Congress and the state or local agency's enforcement of a law that, on its face and in operation, is substantially equivalent to the Fair Housing Act.