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Apr 01, 2021
HUD Commemorates National Fair Housing Month 2021
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
today kicked off Fair Housing Month 2021. This year’s Fair Housing Month theme, Fair Housing: More Than Just Words, reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing equity in housing and the importance of increasing public awareness of everyone’s right to fair housing.
“Fair Housing Month is a time to recommit to our nation’s obligation to ensure that everyone has equal access to safe, affordable housing,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “Unfortunately, housing discrimination still exists, from individuals and families being denied a place to call home because of the color of their skin or where they come from, to landlords refusing to allow persons with disabilities to keep assistance animals, to individuals being denied a place to live because of who they love. In this moment of unprecedented crisis, fair housing is more important than ever. 53 years after the Fair Housing Act was signed, our journey to justice in housing continues.”
Each April, HUD, local communities, fair housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the country commemorate Fair Housing Month by hosting an array of activities that highlight HUD's fair housing enforcement efforts, enhance Americans’ awareness of their fair housing rights, and emphasize the importance of ending housing discrimination.
Secretary Fudge will commemorate Fair Housing Month with a virtual celebration on April 7th at 2 p.m. Eastern time that will also feature the Justice Department’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Pamela Karlan; HUD’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Jeanine Worden; and HUD Senior Advisor Alanna McCargo.
In addition to highlighting HUD’s enforcement activities, a central focus of this year’s commemoration will the Biden-Harris Administration’s pledge to end housing discrimination, provide redress to those who have experienced housing discrimination, to eliminate racial bias and other forms of discrimination in all stages of home-buying and renting, and to secure equal access to housing opportunity for all.
Last year, HUD and its Fair Housing Assistance Program partner agencies received more than 7,700 complaints alleging discrimination based on one or more of the Fair Housing Act's seven protected classes: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, and disability. During that period, the categories with the highest number of complaints were disability and race, respectively. HUD also received complaints that alleged lending discrimination as well as numerous complaints from women who faced unfair treatment, including sexual harassment.
"Although the Fair Housing Act became law in 1968, we still have major challenges ahead of us,” said Jeanine Worden, HUD’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “This April, on the 53rd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, HUD is renewing its commitment to level the playing field so every person has the same opportunity to live where they choose and benefit from all of the opportunities this nation offers.”
For a complete listing of HUD Fair Housing Month events and activities, go to: www.hud.gov/FHM2021.
People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (Relay). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fair housing.
ETCOG is proud to host the Texas Department of Agriculture on November 30th to hold a TxCDBG Kickoff Meeting. Join us to hear about grant allocations planned for our region and an overview of proposed changes to the application process.
The East Texas Council of Governments wants to ensure that our region is well-educated on recognizing housing discrimination and how to avoid and report it if encountered. Your voice matters! Take our Housing Survey.
In today's rapidly changing economic landscape, it has become evident that institutions of higher education play a crucial role in fostering vibrant economic ecosystems. These universities possess a wealth of economic development assets that can propel regional growth and innovation. Recognizing this immense potential, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has established the University Center program (PDF) to empower universities and consortia of institutions to establish and operate University Centers (UCs). The primary focus of these UCs is to harness the resources and capabilities of universities to build robust regional economic ecosystems that foster innovation, high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency, and inclusiveness. Since as early as FY 1980, EDA-funded UCs have been actively responding to the needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers and processors by providing crucial technology transfer and commercialization assistance. Today, these UCs continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of their regions. Some UCs are at the forefront of creating a digitally inclusive economy, offering valuable resources and guidance in this digital age. Others are addressing the economic impacts resulting from the closure of major plants by collaborating with stakeholders in their regions. The strength of University Centers lies in their collaborative approach. They work hand-in-hand with other EDA partners, such as Economic Development Districts (EDDs), to combine their expertise, applied research, and technical assistance. This collaboration is aimed at developing, implementing, and supporting regional strategies that lead to tangible outcomes like job creation, the cultivation of high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion within innovation clusters. University Centers focus on several key areas, each crucial for the growth and resilience of a region. One such area is regional commercialization efforts. By leveraging university assets and expertise, UCs help bridge the gap between innovative research and commercial viability. They facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge technologies and intellectual property into the market, propelling the growth of local businesses and industries. If you are a university or part of a consortium of institutions passionate about driving regional economic growth, innovation, and resiliency, the EDA's University Center program presents an incredible opportunity. Joining this program will enable you to leverage the vast resources, expertise, and collaborative network of UCs to make a lasting impact on your region. To learn more about applying for the University Centers funding opportunity, please visit https://bit.ly/3ot5EQn .
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