Fair Housing Assistance Program-State and Local (14.401)

 

Program

14.401 Fair Housing Assistance Program-State and Local

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

 

Authorization

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 to support 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 an intergovernmental enforcement effort to further fair housing at the State and local level by providing funding assistance for State and local fair housing enforcement agencies to increase administration of fair housing laws.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

State and local fair housing enforcement agencies in the first three years of participation in the FHAP receive a fixed amount of capacity building funding. Agencies that are in their fourth year and beyond of participation in the FHAP are eligible to receive contributions funding which provides funds for complaint processing, administrative costs, training costs, and special enforcement effort.

 

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 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. Other eligible applicants include State and local fair housing enforcement agencies administering State and local fair housing laws and ordinances which have been 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.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Not applicable.

Award Procedure

Not applicable.

Deadlines

Not applicable.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

None.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

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, special enforcement efforts, training, and capacity building. For detailed program information under each funding component, contact the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Hub 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.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

On-site review and evaluation and regular monitoring of agency complaint handling performance to assure HUD's substantial equivalency standards are met. Payment is in accordance with payment schedules established in the agency's cooperative agreements.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. See exemptions and exceptions in Circular No. A-133.

Records

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

 

Program Accomplishments

Since the passage of the strengthened Fair Housing Act in 1989, approximately 95 jurisdictions have amended their fair housing laws to make them substantially equivalent to the Act. There are approximately 95 jurisdictions receiving financial assistance under this program. There also has been a substantial increase in receipt and referral of housing discrimination complaints to State and local agencies.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

86-0144-0-1-751.

Obligations

FY 02 $28,198,000; FY 03 est $26,649,000; and FY 04 est $30,750,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Contributions for Capacity Building - $115,000; Complaint Processing, Training, Administrative Costs, Partnership funds, and Special Enforcement Efforts - $15,000 to $1,600,000.

 

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

HUD Field Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in the appropriate Hub Office listed in the Catalog address Appendix IV.

Headquarters Office

Myron Newry, Director, FHIP/FHAP Support Division, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 5224, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-2288, ext. 7095. E-mail: Myron_Newry@hud.gov.

Web Site Address

http://www.hud.gov/progdesc/fheoindx.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Funding is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining HUD 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. Funding for capacity building will be based on a written statement of work within established limitations.