News Release

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the City of Billings - Community Development a $92,879 grant and the Montana Fair Housing, Inc., Missoula, MT a $220,000 grant to help reduce housing discrimination in Montana. The funding is part of more than $18 million awarded nationwide.

"Awarding this grant is another step toward ensuring everyone has equal access to safe and affordable housing free from illegal discrimination." said HUD Field Office Director Tom Friesen. "We will not allow discrimination to stop families across Montana from living in any home, apartment or neighborhood they can afford."

The grant was awarded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and housing industry about housing discrimination laws, and work to promote fair housing.

The Fair Housing Act, as amended (The Act) bars housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, family status and national origin. The Act covers the sale, rental, financing and advertising of almost all housing in the nation. HUD, state and local agencies working with HUD, and private fair housing groups that receive HUD funds, investigate allegations of illegal housing discrimination.

Anyone who believes they have experienced housing discrimination is asked to call HUD's Housing Discrimination Hotline at 1-800-669-9777, TDD 1-800-927-9275. They can also visit HUD's fair housing website at www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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