Project Grant FHOI230080

PURPOSE: THE CENTER IS REQUESTING FUNDING TO EXPAND OUR CAPACITY AND EFFICACY TO CONDUCT ENFORCEMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INVESTIGATING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION ALLEGATIONS BASED ON SOURCE OF INCOME AND RELIGIOUS BIAS TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS GRANT WILL ALSO ADVANCE THREE OF HUD'S STRATEGIC GOALS: 1. STRATEGIC GOAL 1: SUPPORT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES - ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS GOAL WILL FORTIFY SUPPORT FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORT EQUITABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL PEOPLE. 2. STRATEGIC GOAL 1A: ADVANCE HOUSING JUSTICE - ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS GOAL WILL FORTIFY SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, AND FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT. 3. STRATEGIC GOAL 1C: INVEST IN THE SUCCESS OF COMMUNITIES - ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS GOAL WILL PROMOTE EQUITABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAT GENERATES WEALTH-BUILDING FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. B. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED - THE CENTER WILL UNDERTAKE 38 ACTIVITIES, AS OUTLINED IN APPENDIX A TO EXPAND OUR CAPACITY AND EFFICACY TO CONDUCT ENFORCEMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INVESTIGATING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION ALLEGATIONS BASED ON SOURCE OF INCOME AND RELIGIOUS BIAS TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING. ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1. STRATEGIC GOAL 1: SUPPORT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES CONTACT HUD AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SOURCES TO OBTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE MATERIALS PRIOR TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MATERIALS. CONTACT HUD, DOH, AND CHRO TO SEE IF ANY CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE REFERRAL PROCESS SINCE OUR PREVIOUS AWARDS. CREATE A NEW RACK CARD INFORMING TENANTS THAT RELIGIOUS BIAS OF PERSONS PERCEIVED TO BE MEMBERS OF ANY RELIGIOUS GROUP MAY CONSTITUTE UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT AND INCLUDE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CENTER. NEW RACK CARD IS TRANSLATED INTO A SECOND LANGUAGE BASED ON IDENTIFIED NEED OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMIZE ZONE. AT LEAST 200 COPIES OF NEW OUTREACH MATERIALS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE. 2. STRATEGIC GOAL 1A: ADVANCE HOUSING JUSTICE INTAKE AND PROCESS COMPLAINTS STATEWIDE, INCLUDING FROM THE NORTH HARFORD PROMISE ZONE RELATING TO RELIGIOUS BIAS. INVESTIGATE AUTOMATED RENTAL UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE PROVIDERS TO DETERMINE IF RENT-TO[1]INCOME CALCULATIONS AND OTHER ASSESSMENTS RESULT IN DISCRIMINATION BASED ON APPLICABLE LAW. TEST OR INVESTIGATE UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE TO EVALUATE ITS CALCULATION OF SOURCES OF INCOME SUCH AS HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS OR OTHER NON-TAXABLE INCOME TO DETERMINE IF THE SOFTWARE VIOLATES APPLICABLE LAWS. ANALYZE TESTING RESULTS OF AUTOMATED UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE TO DETERMINE IF THEY RESULT IN DISCRIMINATION BASED ON APPLICABLE LAW. ADVOCATE WITH GOVERNMENTAL UNITS SUCH AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OR FHAP TO SECURE CHANGES TO AUTOMATED RENTAL UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. UTILIZE LOCAL ORDINANCES, STATE LAWS AND THE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO FILE MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS WITH HUD, DOJ, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT TO ADDRESS SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF AUTOMATED RENTAL UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING. TEST OR INVESTIGATE AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING SOFTWARE TO DETERMINE IF THE SOFTWARE VIOLATES THE DISABILITY-BASED PROTECTIONS OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT. ANALYZE TESTING RESULTS OF AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING TO DETERMINE IF THEY RESULT IN DISCRIMINATION BASED ON APPLICABLE LAW. UTILIZE LOCAL ORDINANCES, STATE LAWS AND THE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO FILE MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS WITH HUD, DOJ, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT TO ADDRESS SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF AUTOMATED RENTAL UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING. SHARE FINDINGS FROM AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING TESTING WITH GOVERNMENTAL UNITS SUCH AS THE ATTORNEY GENERALS' OFFICE OR FHAP. COUNSEL INTAKES FROM POOR CONDITIONS AND RELIGIOUS BIAS OUTREACH ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER LOCAL ORDINANCES, STATE LAW, AND THEIR FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS AND THEIR RIGHTS TO FILE COMPLAINTS TO HUD, DOJ, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. REFER MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS TO ATTORNEYS. UTILIZE LOCAL ORDINANCES, STATE LAWS AND THE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO FILE MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS WITH HUD, DOJ, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT FROM OUTREACH IN ACTIVITIES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING. CONCILIATE/MEDIATE COMPLAINTS FROM OUTREACH ACTIVITIES WHEN POSSIBLE AND WHERE APPROPRIATE. CONDUCT OUTREACH AND PROVIDE FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION AT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS WITH RESIDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE WHO MAY BE VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION. ASSIST CLIENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND THE NORTH HARFORD PROMIZE ZONE WITH REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO HOUSING REGARDLESS OF DISABILITY STATUS. EDUCATE HOUSEHOLDS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO REQUEST REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING OF THEIR CHOICE AND OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING CENTER'S REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION LETTER GENERATOR. ASSIST CLIENTS IN THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE WITH REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABILITIES SUCH AS ASTHMA THAT ARE EXACERBATED BY POOR CONDITIONS TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO HOUSING REGARDLESS OF DISABILITY STATUS. REFER TENANTS EXPERIENCING LEAD- OR ASTHMA-RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL HARMS TO CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER'S HEALTHY HOMES INITIATIVE OR THE NORTH HARTFORD ASCEND PIPELINE. 3. STRATEGIC GOAL 1C: INVEST IN THE SUCCESS OF COMMUNITIES AID TENANTS LIVING IN POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE SEEKING TO ACCESS NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO ADDRESS ANY DISCRIMINATION THEY ENCOUNTER IN THEIR HOUSING SEARCH. ASSIGN ADDITIONAL EXISTING STAFF TO BRING THEIR EXPERTISE IN FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT, TENANT ORGANIZING, LANDLORD TENANT LAW, AND FAIR HOUSING TESTING TO BEAR ON THE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES OUTLINED IN ACTIVITY 32. ENSURE THAT FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN CAN MAINTAIN STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: INTENDED OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE: 1. STRATEGIC GOAL 1: SUPPORT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES MATERIALS ARE CREATED THAT ADDRESS THE FAIR HOUSING CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITIES SERVED. A REFERRAL PROCESS THAT ENSURES THAT POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION WITH MERITORIOUS CLAIMS ARE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY AND/OR ATTORNEY. MATERIALS ARE CREATED TO EDUCATE POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON PERCEIVED RELIGION INCLUDING JEWISH, CHRISTIAN, MUSLIM, SIKH, HINDU, BUDDHIST, OR ANOTHER RELIGIOUS GROUP. MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE. MATERIALS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO AT LEAST 200 HOUSEHOLDS. 2. STRATEGIC GOAL 1A: ADVANCE HOUSING JUSTICE AT LEAST FIVE INTAKES ARE COMPLETED FOR CALLERS ALLEGING RELIGIOUS BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION. AT LEAST ONE AUTOMATED RENTAL UNDERWRITING PROVIDER IS EVALUATED TO DETERMINE IF THE UNDERWRITING RESULTS IN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PROTECTED CLASSES. AT LEAST FIVE TEST PARTS ARE COMPLETED ON AUTOMATED UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE. TEST PARTS ON AUTOMATED UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE ARE ANALYZED TO DETERMINE IF THEY RESULT IN DISCRIMINATION BASED ON APPLICABLE LAW. CHANGES ARE MADE TO ENSURE THAT AUTOMATED UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON A PROTECTED CLASS. AT LEAST 5 TEST PARTS ARE COMPLETED ON AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING. TEST PARTS ON AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING ARE ANALYZED TO DETERMINE IF THEY VIOLATE THE DISABILITY-BASED PROTECTIONS OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT. GOVERNMENTAL UNITS ARE INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATORY NATURE OF AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING SOFTWARE. COMPLAINANTS WITH MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT AUTOMATED UNDERWRITING SOFTWARE AND AUTOMATED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL SCREENING RECEIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION WHEN FILING 5 COMPLAINTS WITH HUD, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. AT LEAST 25 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVE COUNSELING ON THEIR RIGHTS UNDER LOCAL ORDINANCES, STATE LAW, AND THEIR FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS AND THEIR RIGHTS TO FILE COMPLAINTS TO HUD, DOJ, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. AT LEAST 2 MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS ARE REFERRED TO ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION. COMPLAINANTS WITH MERITORIOUS COMPLAINTS RECEIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION WHEN FILING COMPLAINTS WITH HUD, CHRO OR IN STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. WHEN APPROPRIATE, SETTLEMENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT POOR CONDITIONS, AND REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO BENEFIT THE VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION ARE NEGOTIATED INCLUDING, WHERE POSSIBLE, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, FAIR HOUSING TRAINING FOR THE HOUSING PROVIDER, ACTUAL AND COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, ATTORNEYS' FEES, OBTAINING OR RETAINING SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ONE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT WITH RESIDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE IS HELD REACHING AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE WHO MAY BE THE VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION. CLIENTS ARE ASSISTED WITH REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS AS REQUESTED. AT LEAST 20 HOUSEHOLDS ARE EDUCATED ON THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO REQUEST REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS. AT LEAST 2 CLIENTS IN THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE ARE ASSISTED WITH REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS. ANY CLIENTS WITH ASTHMA-RELATED NEEDS ARE REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES. 3. STRATEGIC GOAL 1C: INVEST IN THE SUCCESS OF COMMUNITIES AT LEAST 20 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE NORTH HARTFORD PROMISE ZONE RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE CENTER'S CAPACITY TO ADDRESS POOR CONDITIONS IS INCREASED. AT LEAST 10 HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN RECEIVED COUNSELING TO MAINTAIN STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PROTECTED CLASSES UNDER FEDERAL AND CONNECTICUT FAIR HOUSING LAW.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE