Project Grant FPEI230107

PURPOSE: FY2023 PEI-MY AWARD FUNDS ALLOCATED TO LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MICHIGAN (LSEM) WILL BE STRATEGICALLY UTILIZED TO ADVANCE FAIR HOUSING OBJECTIVES, ENSURING EQUITABLE TREATMENT IN HOUSING AND ADDRESSING POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATION. THE PROJECT COMPONENTS FOCUS ON FAIR HOUSING TESTING, ENFORCEMENT, AND COMPLAINT RESPONSE TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AND RECTIFY DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES. KEY ASPECTS INCLUDE: I. COMMUNITY COMPLAINT RESPONSE: LSEM RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONDING TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS PROMPTLY. THE APPROACH INVOLVES UTILIZING THE EXPERTISE OF AN IN-HOUSE FAIR HOUSING CENTER STAFF, WHO ARE WELL-VERSED IN BOTH THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND LEGAL PRACTICE. II. PROACTIVE APPROACH: RATHER THAN WAITING FOR COMPLAINTS, LSEM TAKES A PROACTIVE STANCE BY AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING TESTING ACTIVITIES. THIS ENSURES THAT SUBTLE DISCRIMINATORY ACTIVITIES, OFTEN UNNOTICED BY VICTIMS, ARE IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED. THE GOAL IS TO PROACTIVELY WORK ON EDUCATION AND COMPLIANCE STRATEGIES FOR OFFENDERS IDENTIFIED THROUGH TESTING. III. EXPERTISE AND TRACK RECORD: LSEM DISTINGUISHES ITSELF AS THE SOLE AGENCY IN THE REGION WITH AN IN-HOUSE FAIR HOUSING CENTER STAFFED BY EXPERIENCED EXPERTS. LEVERAGING THIS EXPERTISE, LSEM HAS A COMMENDABLE TRACK RECORD, INCLUDING SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF SIMILAR PROJECTS SUCH AS FY2020 PEI-MY. THIS POSITIONS THEM WELL FOR ACHIEVING PROJECT GOALS. IV. PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE AND ADAPTABILITY: LSEM NOTES THE ABSENCE OF IMMEDIATE ISSUES PENDING RESOLUTION, ATTRIBUTING IT TO THEIR COMBINED EXPERTISE AND SUCCESSFUL PROJECT EXECUTION. HOWEVER, THE ORGANIZATION ACKNOWLEDGES THE POTENTIAL FOR UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES AND COMMITS TO ONGOING DISCUSSIONS, SHOWCASING FLEXIBILITY FOR NECESSARY EXECUTION CHANGES WHILE ENSURING SUCCESSFUL PROJECT OUTCOMES. V. COMMITMENT TO DELIVERABLES: LSEM IS COMMITTED TO MEETING OR EXCEEDING ALL DELIVERABLES, BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF PRIOR PROJECTS. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A PROACTIVE STANCE IN ADDRESSING POTENTIAL ISSUES AND COMMITS TO ONGOING DISCUSSIONS TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES, REINFORCING THEIR DEDICATION TO PROJECT SUCCESS. IN SUMMARY, THE FY2023 PEI-MY FUNDS WILL BE USED BY LSEM TO IMPLEMENT A PROACTIVE, COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. THE FOCUS ON TESTING, ENFORCEMENT, AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIVENESS, COMBINED WITH EXPERTISE AND A PROVEN TRACK RECORD, POSITIONS LSEM TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PROMOTING FAIR AND EQUAL HOUSING PRACTICES IN THE REGION; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: RECRUIT AND TRAIN 60 TESTERS (20 PER YEAR), WITH AT LEAST 30 (10 PER YEAR) SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE TRAINING AND COMPLETING A PRACTICE TEST; CONDUCT A MINIMUM OF 930 FHIP-FUNDED TEST PARTS (310 PER YEAR) IN THE COUNTIES OF ARENAC, BAY, CLARE, GENESEE, GLADWIN, GRATIOT, HURON, ISABELLA, LAPEER, MIDLAND, SAGINAW, SANILAC, ST. CLAIR AND TUSCOLA COUNTIES; REFER ENFORCEMENT PROPOSALS AS THEY PRESENT TO HUD AND ANY OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES, AND/OR PURSUE LITIGATION IN-HOUSE OR THROUGH PRIVATE ATTORNEYS. THE CENTER WILL PARTICIPATE IN CONCILIATION AGREEMENTS AND WILL MONITOR SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS AS CASES PRESENT THAT REACH THOSE OUTCOMES WITH FHAPS; CONDUCT 24 (8 PER YEAR) SYSTEMIC INVESTIGATIONS; CONDUCT A MINIMUM OF 3 (1 PER YEAR) FAIR HOUSING EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS TARGETING HOUSING CONSUMERS; AND CONDUCT 15 (5 PER YEAR) SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS OR MEETINGS WITH HOUSING INDUSTRY, INCLUDING LANDLORDS AND/OR GOVERNMENTAL STAFF; CONDUCT A MINIMUM OF 1,200 (400 PER YEAR) INTAKE INTERVIEWS WITH CLIENTS TO SCREEN FOR FAIR HOUSING ISSUES; AND HELP A MINIMUM OF 30 (10 PER YEAR) CLIENTS REQUESTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/ MODIFICATIONS; SECURE 24 (8 PER YEAR) PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS TO ESTABLISH REFERRAL PROCESSES WITH AGENCIES IN THE SERVICE AREA TO STRENGTHEN ITS EXISTING SERVICES; AND PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF 100 HOURS OF TRAINING FOR STAFF MEMBERS EACH YEAR, FOR A 3- YEAR TOTAL OF 300; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DIMINISHED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAIR HOUSING VIOLATIONS THROUGH A DUAL-FACETED APPROACH ENHANCED COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND RESPONSIVENESS TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CONDUCT TESTING, ENFORCEMENT, AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES TARGETING FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS EXECUTE 24 SYSTEMIC INVESTIGATIONS, ADDRESSING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AT SYSTEMIC LEVELS ENGAGE IN 15 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS OR MEETINGS WITH HOUSING INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS STRENGTHEN OUTREACH STRATEGIES TARGETING URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES SECURE 24 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH AGENCIES COMMITTED TO FAIR HOUSING ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION STRENGTHEN SERVICES FOR TRADITIONALLY MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS STREAMLINE THE INTAKE AND CASE ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENCY AND BETTER RESPONSE TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS STRATEGICALLY RESPOND TO ONGOING DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES AND LACK OF AWARENESS ABOUT FAIR HOUSING ACT RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS INCREASE CAPACITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRO BONO ATTORNEYS FOR ESCALATED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ENHANCE PROJECT ADAPTABILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS TO EVOLVING CHALLENGES WITHIN THE SERVICE AREA; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: GENERALLY, ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MICHIGAN'S 14-COUNTY SERVICE AREA OF ARENAC, BAY, CLARE, GENESEE, GLADWIN, GRATIOT, HURON, ISABELLA, LAPEER, MIDLAND, SAGINAW, SANILAC, ST. CLAIR AND TUSCOLA COUNTIES PERSONS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOUSING DISCRIMINATION VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VETERANS THE ELDERLY LGBTQ+ RESIDENTS RESIDENTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP) RESIDENTS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF THE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, AND DEAFBLIND COMMUNITIES YOUTH AND/OR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PERSONS LIVING AT OR BELOW 125% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE