Project Grant FPEI230092

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED FULL-SERVICE, BROAD-BASED FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT PROTECT IS TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES AND INFORM INDIVIDUALS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT; TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WHO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION; TO CONDUCT FAIR HOUSING TESTING, INVESTIGATE VIOLATIONS, AND OBTAIN ENFORCEMENT OF THE RIGHTS GRANTED UNDER THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT, FLORIDA FAIR HOUSING ACT (SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT STATE LAW), BROWARD COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE (SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT LOCAL LAW), AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE (SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATION PENDING). FUNDS AWARDED WILL BE USED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND BROWARD COUNTY IN FLORIDA. HOPE WILL IMPLEMENT A BROAD BASED, FULL SERVICE FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT PROJECT PROVIDING CULTURALLY COMPETENT AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES TO ALL MEMBERS OF PROTECTED CLASSES IN MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM WILL ALLOW HOPE TO CONTINUE TO ASSIST RESIDENTS OF SOUTH FLORIDA IN ACHIEVING EQUAL ACCESS TO THE HOUSING OF THEIR CHOICE AND PROVIDES AN AVENUE TO ADDRESS AND SEEK RESOLUTION OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING FAIR HOUSING.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED- A LIST OF ELIGIBLE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES THAT THE APPLICANT PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT WITHIN THE AWARD 'S PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. ANNUALLY, HOPE WILL CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING PROJECT ACTIVITIES: CONDUCT INTAKE AND ANALYZE HOUSING RELATED ISSUES; PROCESS ALLEGATIONS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION; PROVIDE FAIR HOUSING COUNSELING; ASSIST CLIENTS WITH REQUESTING AND OBTAINING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS; RECRUIT AND TRAIN TESTERS; CONDUCT COMPLAINT-BASED AND SYSTEMIC FAIR HOUSING TESTING (RENTAL, SALES, ACCESSIBLE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, AND MORTGAGE LENDING TESTING); CONDUCT SITE ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER METHODS OF INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AND IDENTIFIED DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES; EVALUATE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS FOR ENFORCEMENT AND REFER ENFORCEMENT PROPOSALS TO US HUD, PRIVATE ATTORNEYS, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION; ESTABLISH AND/OR MAINTAIN PARTNERSHIPS WITH AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS; CONDUCT TARGETED OUTREACH TO SPECIFIC GROUPS TO INFORM THEM ABOUT FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS AND TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF FAIR HOUSING ISSUES AND OBLIGATIONS. SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROPOSED INITIATIVE WILL BE AFFIRMATIVELY MARKETED BROADLY THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES TO DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS UNLIKELY TO LEAST LIKELY TO APPLY THROUGH ITS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND PRESENTATIONS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: EXPECTED OUTCOMES A LIST OF THE PROPOSED OUTCOME OR PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THE GRANT AWARD. ? PROTECTED CLASSES OF PEOPLE, GAINING ACCESS TO A FULL SERVICE, QUALIFIED FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATION PROVIDING GUIDANCE REGARDING FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS. ? INVESTIGATION AND TESTING OF ALLEGATIONS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION RESULTING IN INCREASED HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROTECTED CLASSES OF PERSONS. ? VIOLATIONS OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OF TESTING ACTIVITIES AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, OBTAINING REMEDIES FOR VICTIMS AND CHANGING HOUSING POLICIES AIMED AT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS TO PROTECTED CLASSES OF PERSONS. ? PUBLICIZED RESULTS OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS PROVIDING NOTICE TO HOUSING INDUSTRY THAT DISCRIMINATION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND THAT APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE THE RESPONSE TO VIOLATIONS OF THE FAIR HOUSING LAW. ? MEDIATION, CONCILIATION, AND LITIGATION OF MERITORIOUS HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS RESULTING IN HOUSING POLICY CHANGE (VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY). ? FAIR LENDING ENFORCEMENT ENSURING THAT LENDERS PROVIDE EQUAL ACCESS TO HOME LOAN PRODUCTS AND ENCOURAGE OPEN, DIVERSE, AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING MOBILITY AND EXPANDED HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. ? ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS THAT HAVE STRUCTURED REMEDIES DESIGNED TO REDUCE SEGREGATION AND INCREASE HOUSING CHOICE FOR ALL PERSONS. ? THE GRANTING OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS RESULTING IN ACCESSIBLE DESIGN THAT INCREASES HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. ? CONCILIATED OR VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS THAT REQUIRE HOUSING PROVIDERS TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS AND TO ADDRESS OTHER NON-REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR PROPERTIES INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY TO CURRENT AND FUTURE OCCUPANTS WITH DISABILITIES. ? PUBLICIZED RESULTS OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS PROVIDING NOTICE TO HOUSING INDUSTRY THAT DISCRIMINATION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND THAT APPROPRIATE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE THE RESPONSE TO VIOLATIONS OF THE FAIR HOUSING LAW. ? PARTNERSHIPS RESULTING IN INCREASED OUTREACH EFFORTS THAT PROVIDE FAIR HOUSING EDUCATION TO INCREASED NUMBERS OF PERSON. ? ON-GOING PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN RAISING AWARENESS TO INCREASED NUMBERS OF PERSONS REGARDING THE FAIR HOUSING LAWS AND EFFECTIVELY EDUCATING THE HOUSING INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS, AND PUBLIC POLICY MAKERS WILL FOSTER COMPLIANCE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ? ALL PROTECTED CLASS MEMBERS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT ? PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ? PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ? MEMBERS OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ? INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS ? HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOLDERS ? LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ? HOMEOWNERS SEEKING TO REFINANCE OR SELL THEIR HOMES ? PERSONS LOOKING TO PURCHASE OR RENT A HOME ? HOUSING PROVIDERS DEDICATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH FAIR HOUSING LAWS; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE