Real Estate News

Two groups of Vermont are cracking down on housing discrimination violations by a large grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Funding for the $ 375,000 check came from HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program. Vermont will use these funds to enforce housing laws and investigate all cases of housing discrimination, promote equal housing opportunities and educate the public and industry about the Fair Housing Act with respect to their rights and responsibilities .

The Fair Housing Act is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to protect consumers from discrimination. Incredibly these days, tenants, lenders and builders continue to discriminate against persons on grounds of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, familial status and physical limitations.

HUD is the funding for organizations deemed worthy of respect and trust of the federal and Vermont state government and consumers. Grants are awarded only after a rigorous review and competitive selection process.

Vermont was awarded grants in the following categories:

Initiative Private Enforcement Most of the global grant was given to Vermont Legal Aid, Inc. for assistance in investigating housing discrimination, enforce the Fair Housing Act and any other state and local laws that relate to the Fair Housing Act.

Education and Outreach Initiative was awarded $ 100,000 Office of Economic Opportunity Champlain Valley illuminate the housing industry and the public about federal, state and local fair housing.

Fair Housing / Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and its partners in the program aspect of the Fair Housing Assistance in approximately 10,000 housing discrimination complaints and cases nationwide each year. For more news and information sign for the RSS feed for FHEO. Also, check out the Vermont Fair Housing News newsletter online.

People who are suspected victims of housing discrimination can call HUD at 800 669-9777 (voice) or 800 927-9275 (TTY) for information and file a complaint.