Project Grant FHOI240078

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity awarded Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) a $260,000 Project Grant under the Fair Housing Organization Initiatives program (CFDA 14.417) for the period of June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. This award supports MLSA's efforts to develop, implement, and coordinate programs that educate the public about rights under the Fair Housing Act and substantially equivalent state or local housing discrimination laws. As a nonprofit legal services organization, MLSA will deliver fair housing education and enforcement activities to both individuals who have experienced housing discrimination based on protected characteristics—including race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin—and to housing industry professionals including landlords and real estate agents to prevent discriminatory practices.

MLSA's comprehensive civil legal assistance portfolio positions the organization to provide fair housing services to underserved populations throughout Montana, including low-income individuals, Native Americans, homeless persons, and other vulnerable communities. The grant funding enables the organization to conduct activities such as public education initiatives, counseling services, and community outreach designed to strengthen fair housing enforcement capacity in the Helena, Montana region and address discriminatory housing practices across the state.