Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative for the American Rescue Plan NOFO
June 9, 2023
Dear Fair Housing Initiatives Program Partner Applicant:
On March 27, 2023 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), announced the availability of additional American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to help HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) agencies combat housing discrimination related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This notice of funding opportunity (FR-6700-N-78-A) closed on May 11, 2023, with seventy-seven submissions.
While FHEO recognizes the negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be experienced by many communities, we know that our FHIP partners are uniquely positioned to address the housing discrimination concerns of vulnerable populations. However, according to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, HUD regretfully no longer has the authority to issue these ARP funds. To better understand this circumstance, I invite you to read the Statement from President Biden on Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement as we all move forward in investing in America.
FHEO understands the time and effort required to apply for grants. The work put into responding to this funding opportunity is appreciated, and your recognition of the importance of preventing and combatting housing discrimination is appreciated even more. My hope is that you will remain motivated to respond to future fair housing notices of funding opportunities. On behalf of the FHEO team, I look forward to our continued partnership.
Sincerely,
Demetria L. McCain
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Purpose
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (hereinafter referred to as ARP) recognizes that fair housing enforcement and education and outreach services are essential components of protecting persons from housing discrimination in the United States.
The ARP appropriated twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) in supplemental Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) funding to HUD to provide relief to the following fair housing organizations to carry out eligible activities: Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations (QFHOs) and Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations (FHOs), public or private not-for-profit organizations or institutions, and other public or private entities that are formulating or carrying out programs to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices; agencies of State or local governments; and agencies that participate in the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). This NOFO will provide funding to such eligible organizations to address fair housing education and outreach activities, and the costs of delivering or adapting these services relating to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with Congress’s intent in enacting the ARP, applicants may propose new fair housing education and outreach projects relating to discrimination arising in connection with the pandemic or focus on sustaining core fair housing education activities.
The FHIP ARP Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) NOFO invites applications from eligible EOI organizations seeking support for fair housing activities that are connected to or adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Through this funding opportunity, HUD will award grants to eligible organizations to help them continue to advance their mission during the interruption of their operation and recovery efforts resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. (See Section III. Eligibility Information). As of February 2023, approximately $16.014 million in ARP FHIP funding has been awarded, ensuring that much needed relief was received by victims of housing discrimination within months of enactment of the ARP; the current ARP NOFO provides additional funding for eligible organizations to continue fair housing activities connected to or adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Department encourages projects that reflect on the organization’s quest for a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society. The Department especially welcomes education and outreach activities which help ensure that victims of housing discrimination who have been hit the hardest relating to the coronavirus pandemic are provided with the resources and support they need to emerge from the pandemic stronger. Eligible organizations may use ARP funds to provide fair housing education and outreach services through a number of vehicles (print, television and radio advertisements, mass media, brochures, digital/social media advertising, and trainings) to equitably expand fair housing activities. These education and outreach activities should be expanded for underserved populations that need these services the most including underserved communities: populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, including Black, Latino, Indigenous, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other, persons of color; members of religious groups; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; young adults; persons with limited English proficiency and other groups of federally protected class members experiencing housing discrimination. In addition, services should be provided to people experiencing or on the verge of housing instability or homelessness, including those that may face possible displacement due to the end of the pandemic related eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, senior citizens and people with disabilities who are trying to escape the heightened risk of coronavirus associated with institutional or congregate settings, and people with inadequate access to technology.
Funding of approximately $3,385,353 is available through this NOFO. HUD expects to make approximately 32 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.
Program Office: Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative for the American Rescue Plan NOFO
Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6700-N-78-A
Assistance Listing Number: 14.416
OMB Approval Number: 2529-0033
Opening Date: March 27, 2023
Deadline Date: May 11, 2023