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OFH-2600-DC-021A

Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 11/02/2026.

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative

Table Of Contents OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 2 of 79

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Summary

B. Agency Contact(s)

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Eligible Applications

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose

B. Goals and Objectives

C. Authority

D. Unallowable Costs

E. Indirect Costs

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

A. Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications 32

B. Budget

C. Narratives and Other Attachments

D. Other Application Content

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Threshold Review

B. Merit Review

C. Risk Review

D. Selection Process

E. Award Notices

VI. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND

DEADLINES

A. Deadlines

B. Submission Methods

C. Other Submission Information

D. False Statements

VII. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND

ADMINISTRATION

A. Administrative, National and Departmental Policy

Requirements, and General Terms and Conditions

B. Environmental Requirements

C. Remedies for Noncompliance

D. Reporting

VIII. CONTACT AND SUPPORT

A. Agency Contact

B. Grants.gov

C. SAM.gov

D. Debriefing

E. Applicant Experience Survey

F. Other Online Resources

APPENDIX

Appendix I. Definitions

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Before You Begin OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 3 of 79

If you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, register in the required systems and review the application materials. If you are already registered, confirm that your information is current and active.

SAM.gov Registration You must have an active and up-to-date account with SAM.gov, at the time of application and throughout the life of any award.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

It can take several weeks to register in SAM.gov, so get started now if you are planning to apply. SAM.gov also provides each organization with a unique entity identifier (UEI). A valid UEI is required to apply for funding.

Grants.gov Registration You must have an active Grants.gov registration. This requires a Login.gov registration as well. See step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants. You must apply for funding using Grants.gov, unless HUD has approved your waiver request.

See Section VI.B. Submission Methods.

Find the Application Package Use the Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number OFH-2600-DC- 021A . The application package has all the online forms you need to apply. You also need to access the Download Instructions link and review the content before you apply.

If you have other technical difficulties using Grants.gov, contact the Support Center on Grants.gov.

To get updates on changes to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), click Subscribe from the View Grant Opportunity page on Grants.gov.

Application Deadline Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 11/02/2026.

HUD Listserv To get email alerts about current and future funding opportunities, subscribe to HUD's Funding Opportunities listserv.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://login.gov https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=HUD%20Funding%20Opportunities&list=HUD-FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES-L https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=HUD%20Funding%20Opportunities&list=HUD-FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES-L

I. Basic Information

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and Support

Appendix

I. BASIC INFORMATION

I. Basic Information

A. Summary

B. Agency Contact(s)

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 5 of 79

I. BASIC INFORMATION See Contact and Support section of this NOFO.

A. Summary Federal Agency Name:

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HUD Program Office:

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Announcement Type:

Initial Program Type:

Discretionary Paperwork Reduction Act Information:

2501-0044, 2529-0033 Due Date for Intergovernmental Review:

See Section VI.C.1.

1. NOFO Summary The FHIP Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) provides competitive awards to eligible nonprofit and other fair housing organizations to develop and carry out coordinated education and outreach efforts and media products to inform individuals, communities, housing providers and other stakeholders about their fair housing rights and obligations under the Fair

Key Facts Opportunity Name:

Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative Opportunity Number:

OFH-2600-DC-021A

Federal Assistance Listing(s):

14.416

Key Dates Application Due Date:

11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on:

11/02/2026 Anticipated Award Date:

02/28/2027 Estimated Performance Period Start Date:

07/01/2027 Estimated Performance Period End Date:

06/30/2028

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 6 of 79

Housing Act.

This EOI NOFO includes two components:

National: EOI National Media Campaign Component (EOI-NMC) Local/Community Based: EOI General Component (EOI-G) EOI is one of several initiatives of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP).

FHEO will sponsor applicant training in furtherance of Executive Order 14332, to increase potential applicant understanding of the federal grant application process and of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program with the goal of expanding the applicant pool so that discretionary grants might be awarded to a broad range of eligible recipients.

2. Funding Details Type of Funding Instrument G (Grant) National Media Campaign awards made under this NOFO will be in the form of a cooperative agreement.

Under a cooperative agreement, HUD will exercise the right to approve, and have substantial involvement in, all proposed deliverables, as well as the Work Plan or Statement of Work

(SOW).

Where HUD determines that substantial Federal involvement is appropriate, awards may be administered as cooperative agreements. Substantial involvement may include: collaborative project planning; technical consultation; review of significant deliverables; coordination of national initiatives; dissemination of project deliverables; other activities identified in the cooperative agreement. The nature and extent of HUD Participation will be described in the award agreement.

EOI-General Component awards made under this NOFO will be in the form of grant agreements.

Available Funds Funding of approximately $10,750,000 is available through this NOFO.

Additional funds may become available for award. Use of these funds is subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the selection process contained in this NOFO.

Estimated Number of Awards 34 awards from available funding FHEO expects to make approximately 1 award from the EOI-NMC.

Maximum EOI-NMC award amount is $2,500,000. Minimum EOI-NMC award amount is $1,000,000.

FHEO expects to make approximately 33 awards from the EOI-G.

Maximum EOI-G award amount is $250,000. Minimum EOI-G award amount is $175,000.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 7 of 79

Length of Performance Period:

12-month project period and budget period Length of Periods Explanation:

For EOI awards, the proposed project period and budget period can be in the range of 12 to 18 months. The final period of performance for each application selected for an award will be determined and approved by HUD during award negotiations; all funds must be expended within the specific timeframes established in negotiations.

National: EOI National Media Campaign Component (EOI-NMC) If selected as an awardee, you will coordinate and deploy a national fair housing media campaign by developing, disseminating, and leveraging creative and innovative fair housing education and outreach materials and communications strategies tailored to the needs of all Americans. You will do this by creating practical strategies, tools, and media that build the knowledge, skill, and capacity of all fair housing stakeholders to comply with fair housing obligations and the public to understand their fair housing rights and how to file a complaint when they believe their rights are violated. The national fair housing media campaign will focus on addressing intentional discrimination and barriers that may arise when people exercise their right to expand housing choice, to include all protected characteristics. The campaign will also focus on educating all stakeholders (to include fair housing practitioners, housing providers, industry, and the public) about the forms of discrimination that can occur in real estate related transactions. The campaign must provide general and specific fair housing education and outreach strategies, tools, and media for HUD's fair housing stakeholders and include information about how to overcome housing discrimination, including by filing a housing discrimination complaint with HUD. A major focus of the campaign is to create a communications strategy (based on existing local needs and leveraging existing and new education and outreach strategies) with supporting messaging and materials for HUD's fair housing stakeholders to utilize during National Fair Housing Month, and for HUD-funded EOI- G grantees to strategically use in their education and outreach initiative efforts throughout the year. All materials produced by the campaign must be easily localizable for use by other FHIP grantees and fair housing organizations.

Regional/Local/Community Based: EOI General Component (EOI-G) This component provides funding for general fair housing education and outreach activities to inform HUD fair housing stakeholders (including housing providers, industry, and the public) of their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. If selected as a grantee, you will carry out regional, local, and/or community-based education and outreach activities designed to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices, including through school, religious organization, housing provider, industry, and community presentations, conferences and other educational activities. Further, if selected as a grantee, the education and outreach activities that you deploy should fully harness the National Media Campaign which will allow you to understand, harness, and locally replicate education and outreach best practices from across the nation. All grant funded related media and any related collateral for outreach must have HUD approval before public release.

B. Agency Contact(s) See Contact and Support section of this NOFO.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 8 of 79

II. ELIGIBILITY

II. Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Eligible Applications

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 10 of 79

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants If your organization is not an eligible applicant, your application won't be reviewed or scored, and you won't receive funding from HUD.

1. Eligible Entity Types:

25 (Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)) Additional Information on Eligibility You cannot apply as an individual.

Faith-based organizations may apply just like any other organization. HUD does not have any policies or practices that unfairly target these institutions.

If you are applying with other organizations (co-applicants or members of a consortium), the lead organization needs to meet all eligibility requirements. If not, your application is not eligible for funding. All Applicants are required to complete and submit the Applicant Certification (Appendix B) with their application. Co-applicants or consortium members must sign the grant agreement.

a. Eligible Entities for Each EOI Component National Media Campaign Component (EOI-NMC):

• Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations,

• Fair Housing Enforcement Organization, and

• Other nonprofit organizations representing groups of persons protected under the Fair Housing Act (which might include public interest litigation firms, religious liberty groups, trade associations, etc.).

Experience Requirement: in order to be selected for an award under the National Media Campaign component, your organization must have at least 5 years of experience as an advertising, media or public relations organization with strong understanding of adult learning theory, instructional design, and design thinking; or must have a partnership with an advertising and media services organization with at least 5 years of experience as an advertising, media or public relations organization with strong understanding of adult learning theory, instructional design, and design thinking. You will indicate your experience requirement in the Applicant Certification (Appendix B).

General Component (EOI-G)

• Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations,

• Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations,

• Other nonprofit organizations representing groups of persons protected under the Fair Housing Act

• Agencies that participate in the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/part-5/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Subpart%20A%20of%20Part%205 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02611/eradicating-anti-christian-bias https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02611/eradicating-anti-christian-bias

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II. Eligibility OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 11 of 79

• Other agencies of State or local governments

• Other public or private entities that are formulating or carrying out programs to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices (which might include public interest litigation firms, religious liberty groups, trade associations, etc.).

2. Restrictions

a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements You must meet the current General Statutory and Regulatory Eligibility Requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, your application won't be scored, and you won't receive funding from HUD. This is a threshold requirement for all HUD funding.

b. Resolution of Civil Rights Matters If you have any outstanding or unresolved judgments for violating civil rights laws, you must settle them before you apply. If you don't, settle the civil rights law violations before you apply, your application won't be scored, and you won't receive funding from HUD. This is a threshold requirement for all HUD funding.

Applicants with outstanding, unresolved matters or judgments against them for violations of civil rights laws must resolve those judgments before the application submission deadline or the applicant will be deemed ineligible. (1) An applicant is ineligible for funding if the applicant has received notice of a judgment imposed against them for violations of: (a) the Fair Housing Act or a substantially equivalent state or local fair housing law for discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status; or (b) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Violence Against Women Act or substantially equivalent state or local laws. (2) HUD will determine if actions to resolve the judgment taken before the application deadline date will resolve the matter. Examples of actions that may be sufficient to I. Basic Information II.

Eligibility III. Program Description IV. Application Contents and Format V. Application Review Information VI. Submission Requirements and Deadlines VII. Post-Award Requirements and Administration VIII. Contact and Support Appendix II. Eligibility CPD-2600-DC-0025 Page 11 of 128 resolve the matter include, but are not limited to: (a) Current compliance with a voluntary compliance agreement signed by all the parties; (b) Current compliance with a HUD-approved conciliation agreement signed by all the parties; (c) Current compliance with a conciliation agreement signed by all the parties and approved by the state governmental or local administrative agency with jurisdiction over the matter; (d) Current compliance with a consent order or consent decree; or (e) Current compliance with a final judicial ruling or administrative ruling or decision. Applicants with unresolved civil rights matters at the application deadline are deemed ineligible.

B. Eligible Applications

1. An application from an eligible entity is considered for funding if it meets basic threshold requirements and passes merit review.

2. Your application must support the goals of this NOFO.

3. Awards made under this NOFO will not be used to conduct activities that subsidize or https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/Eligibility-Requirements-Addendum-FY2025.pdf

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II. Eligibility OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 12 of 79 facilitate illegal racial preferences or other forms of illegal discrimination, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation.

Your application will be considered for funding if it satisfies the application review requirements in Section V. of this NOFO.

4. Current or Pending Tax-Exempt Organizations.

If you apply as a nonprofit organization, your organization must be a tax-exempt organization or have a tax-exempt application pending prior to the application deadline date and are you must maintain tax exempt status throughout the period of performance. Applications must include the IRS report showing tax exempt status or pending application status. See Application Contents, Section IV.A.

If you apply as a nonprofit organization and have a pending tax- exempt application/renewal and are selected for an award, your application/renewal must be approved prior to release of funding. If the pending application is denied, HUD will rescind award selection.

5. Applicant cannot have a parent or affiliate/subsidiary that is also an EOI recipient.

HUD will not fund an organization if the parent or its affiliate/subsidiary organization has an open grant (previously funded) under the same EOI component with overlapping grant periods of performance; nor will HUD fund both a parent organization and its affiliate/subsidiary organization under this NOFO for the same component.

Also, HUD does not allow affiliate and parent organization staff sharing protocols whereby the parent organization shares key staff with an affiliate(s). All funded organizations must be fully independent functional organizations, e.g., able to conduct business on an on-going basis without support from the parent organization or its staff to complete proposed program activities, and set apart from parent organization.

6. Applicant cannot have received a "poor (unsatisfactory)" rating on its performance assessment on any prior FHIP grant within the past five years.

If your organization received a "poor (unsatisfactory)" rating on any performance assessment on any prior FHIP grant within the past five (5) years, the organization is ineligible for funding for a period of five (5) years from the date of the performance assessment. However, if the organization provides evidence that the rating was overturned by FHEO or that another resolution was accepted by FHEO to improve future performance, HUD may reconsider your eligibility.

Additionally, if your organization receives a "poor (unsatisfactory)" performance rating on another FHIP grant after being selected for an award or after receipt of funding under this NOFO, HUD will rescind all remaining grant funds awarded/received under this NOFO, and the organization will remain ineligible for funding for a period of five years, unless it provides evidence as stated above.

For state and local agencies that administer fair housing laws that are part of HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) organizations, HUD may similarly consider Performance Assessment Reports under its cooperative agreement, as well as any other relevant past performance (i.e., partnership grant performance).

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II. Eligibility OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 13 of 79

7. FHAP Agencies Only. Cannot be under suspension or performance improvement plan under 24 CFR 115.201(a) and (b).

8. Activities. Your application must meet the following requirements:

a. Fair Housing Related Activities. All program activities and costs within the Statement of Work (SOW) and budget must be fair housing related activities and must demonstrate an explicit connection to the non-discrimination provisions of the Fair Housing Act, and/or State or local laws with equivalent rights and remedies.

b. Fair Housing Act Protected Characteristics. All FHIP-funded projects must address housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.

9. Funding Request Within the Award Limits. Applicants are ineligible for funding if the amount requested in the application is not within the minimum and maximum award limits, unless HUD determines that the error is a minor error (such as a typographical error) and that the application clearly requests a funding amount within the award limits.

10. Inconsistencies in the Requested Amount. If inconsistent amounts are requested in an application selected for an award, the amount on the SF-424 will be deemed the controlling amount for purposes of determining eligibility and the award amount.

11. Rating Factors. An application that does not include a narrative response to each of the four Rating Factors will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed.

12. Operating Budget.. In order to ensure funding supports sustainable fair housing partnerships, and consistent with the requirements of 42 USC 3616a(c)(1), FHIP funding may not provide more than 50% of the operating budget of the recipient organization for any one year.

13. Other Program Eligibility Requirements

i. You must submit a separate application for each component and/or initiative for which you apply.

ii. Cannot receive more than one award under a single component. This restriction includes two organizations with separate EINs that apply for separate funding under a single component but identify more than one of the same direct personnel and/or key staff for both organizations (i.e., key staff sharing). HUD will fund only one organization. This restriction ensures FHIP's commitment to continued program integrity by eliminating double payments under a single component to an organization or individuals. This restriction includes but is not limited to any organization affiliate, associate, subsidiary, or other organizations that engage in direct personnel and/or key staff sharing protocols.

In addition, an organization that is selected to receive an EOI-NMC award may not receive another EOI award but may receive awards under the AEI, PEI and/or FHOI NOFOs provided the organization meets all requirements outlined in the NOFO.

14. Ineligible Applicants HUD will not evaluate applications from ineligible applicants, including those that do not meet the threshold review requirements (V. A), eligible entity requirements (II. A. 1.), and statutory and regulatory requirements (II. A. 2.).

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

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Format

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II. Eligibility OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 14 of 79

This Program does not require cost sharing or matching.

If your application project and budget include cost sharing or matching, you will be required to provide those proposed funds if selected for an award, or the award will be rescinded. In accordance with Section V. B. 1. Rating Factor 1, applicants that can demonstrate diversified funding resources will receive higher scores for this factor.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Cost%20sharing%20or%20matching)

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

III. Program Description

A. Purpose

B. Goals and Objectives

C. Authority

D. Unallowable Costs

E. Indirect Costs

F.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

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Format

V. Application Review

Information

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III. Program Description OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 16 of 79

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose Congress in 1988 established the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) with a purpose of providing funding to entities to work alongside HUD to "prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices" 42 USC § 3616a(a). Congress determined in 1987, and affirmed each year since then through appropriations, that HUD can only achieve its fair housing mission and obligations by supporting a network of organizations helping to educate the public about and enforce fair housing rights. Initially a demonstration program, Congress made it permanent through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. The program was expanded in 1992 to address building capacity in unserved areas, establish a national media campaign, and fund a National Fair Housing Month. FHIP provides funds to eligible organizations through competitive grants under several initiatives.

FHIP provides funds to eligible State or local governments or their agencies, public or private nonprofit organizations or institutions, or other public or private entities through competitive grants under four initiatives: the Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI), the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI), the Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI), and the Administrative Enforcement Initiative (AEI).

The overarching purpose of the FHIP Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) is to educate the public, housing providers and other stakeholders about their rights and obligations under provisions of fair housing laws, through the development, implementation, carrying out or coordinating education and outreach programs. 42 USC § 3616a(d)(1); 24 CFR 125.301(a).

The Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) is the public education, outreach, and fair housing awareness component of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program. Its purpose is to inform individuals, communities, housing providers, industry participants, and other stakeholders of rights and obligations under the Fair Housing Act.

EOI supports national, regional, local, and community-based education and outreach activities that prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices by improving public understanding, encouraging voluntary compliance, and connecting individuals with information about how to seek assistance or file fair housing complaints.

HUD has reviewed recent FHIP administration, program performance, appropriations requirements, and current fair housing needs. Based on that review, this NOFO emphasizes competition, measurable outcomes, coordination, fiscal accountability, and education and outreach activities that directly advance the purposes of the Fair Housing Act.

A. Program Overview Through annual Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), HUD administers FHIP by investing in activities that complement the Department's own fair housing responsibilities and strengthen the Nation's fair housing infrastructure.

The Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) is HUD's strategic communications investment program for expanding public understanding of fair housing rights and responsibilities and strengthening the Nation's fair housing education infrastructure.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

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III. Program Description OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 17 of 79

EOI supports projects that increase awareness of rights and obligations under the Fair Housing Act, promote voluntary compliance, improve access to accurate fair housing information, and encourage early recognition and prevention of discriminatory housing practices. The initiative also seeks to strengthen the long-term capacity of organizations that provide fair housing education and outreach by fostering innovation, strategic partnerships, and sustainable educational resources.

The Department recognizes that effective fair housing education is an essential component of national fair housing policy. Education and outreach improve public understanding of the law, reduce barriers to housing opportunities, encourage voluntary compliance, and complement enforcement activities by helping individuals, housing providers, lenders, real estate professionals, local governments, and community organizations understand their rights and responsibilities before disputes arise.

The National Media Campaign component (EOI-NMC) is "designed to provide a centralized, coordinated effort for the development and dissemination of fair housing media products." 42 USC § 3616a(d)(1). A portion of NMC funds are specifically meant to increase participation in the annual national fair housing month.

The General Component (EOI-GC) is designed to carry out projects that prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices by establishing or supporting regional, local, and community-based education and outreach activities, events, and programs.

B. Statutory and Regulatory Authority The Education and Outreach Initiative is administered pursuant to:

• Section 561 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. § 3616a);

• The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3619);

• 24 CFR Part 125;

• Applicable annual appropriations acts;

• Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200), as adopted by HUD.

Nothing in this NOFO modifies or supersedes applicable statutory or regulatory requirements.

Rather, this NOFO identifies the funding priorities, eligible activities, evaluation criteria, and administrative procedures that HUD will apply in administering the FY2025/FY2026 Education and Outreach Initiative competition.

C. Continuing Evolution of FHIP HUD has historically administered the Fair Housing Initiatives Program through annual funding announcements that identify program priorities consistent with the Fair Housing Act, implementing regulations, and available appropriations. Over time, these annual competitions have introduced new funding components, expanded eligible activities, encouraged

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III. Program Description OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 18 of 79 interdisciplinary partnerships, supported emerging fair housing issues, and refined administrative approaches based on experience gained through program implementation.

Historical evaluations of FHIP demonstrate that administrative refinement has been a recurring feature of the program while the underlying statutory and regulatory framework have remained stable. The Department views this FY2026 competition as a continuation of this longstanding practice of administrative improvement.

Accordingly, applicants should understand that this NOFO is intended to implement, not modify, the statutory purposes of FHIP by identifying those investments that HUD has determined are most likely to advance fair housing education and outreach during the current funding cycle.

D. Continuing Evolution of the Education and Outreach Initiative Since the establishment of FHIP, the EOI has served as HUD's principal mechanism for promoting voluntary compliance with the Fair Housing Act through public education, outreach, and communications.

Although the statutory purpose of EOI has remained consistent, HUD has periodically refined the initiative through annual funding announcements to respond to evolving fair housing challenges, advances in communications practices, emerging underserved populations, and lessons learned through program administration.

Historically, HUD has employed a variety of administrative approaches to strengthen education and outreach activities, including specialized funding components, targeted educational initiatives, strategic partnerships, accessibility initiatives, and collaborations with organizations possessing complementary expertise. The Department's 2011 evaluation of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program documents this pattern of administrative evolution and identifies numerous refinements implemented through annual NOFOs, including the FY 2005 Minority-Serving Institutions component, which encouraged partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The FY2026 competition continues this historical refining practice to identify funding priorities intended to strengthen fair housing education.

E. Strategic Communications Framework HUD administers the Education and Outreach Initiative as an integrated portfolio of complementary investments designed to improve public understanding of fair housing and strengthen the Nation's fair housing education infrastructure.

The Department recognizes that effective education requires a combination of locally tailored outreach, nationally scalable communications, partnerships with organizations possessing complementary expertise, accessible educational materials, and sustained public engagement. Accordingly, funding under this NOFO is allocated among components that collectively support these objectives.

Differences in funding levels among components reflect the differing communications

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III. Program Description OFH-2600-DC-021A Page 19 of 79 strategies, anticipated project scope, expected public reach, and level of investment reasonably necessary to achieve meaningful and sustainable educational outcomes. Funding allocations should not be interpreted as reflecting the relative importance of one objective over another. Rather, they represent HUD's administrative judgment regarding the most effective distribution of available resources to strengthen fair housing education nationwide.

F. Relationship to Other FHIP Initiatives The Education and Outreach Initiative complements the other initiatives administered under

FHIP.

• FHOI strengthens the organizational capacity of the private fair housing infrastructure.

• EOI expands public understanding of fair housing rights and responsibilities through education and communications.

• PEI supports private investigation, testing, conciliation, and enforcement activities.

• AEI strengthens administrative enforcement systems and governmental capacity.

Together, these initiatives form an integrated framework through which HUD advances the purposes of the Fair Housing Act by combining education, organizational development, private enforcement, and administrative enforcement into a coordinated national strategy.

This NOFO implements the Education and Outreach Initiative authority reflected in 24 CFR Part 125 by identifying current education, outreach, media, and public-awareness priorities.

Unless expressly stated, this NOFO should be interpreted as implementing existing EOI authority rather than establishing new categories of activity.

The National Media Campaign component (EOI-NMC) is "designed to provide a centralized, coordinated effort for the development and dissemination of fair housing media products." 42 USC § 3616a(d)(1). A portion of NMC funds are specifically meant to increase participation in the annual national fair housing month.

Under a cooperative agreement, HUD will exercise the right to approve, and have substantial involvement in, all proposed deliverables, as well as the Work Plan or Statement of Work

(SOW).

The General Component (EOI-GC) is designed to carry out projects that prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices by establishing or supporting regional, local, and community-based education and outreach activities, events, and programs.

For all grants and cooperative agreements, HUD will conduct monitoring reviews, request quarterly reports, and approve all proposed deliverables as documented in the applicant's Work Plan or SOW. Most EOI funds are awarded under grant agreements. However, national funds, and in this case funds for the National Media Campaign, are awarded under cooperative agreements managed by Headquarters since the awards have a nationwide impact and therefore require more complex and frequent oversight as well as Departmental approval of deliverables.

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B. Goals and Objectives HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), and by extension, the FHIP program, is returning to the core of the Fair Housing Act's enforcement regime – protecting individuals from intentional discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. FHEO rejects expansive interpretations of the Fair Housing Act that exceed the statutory text; will eliminate from the FHIP program ideologically driven enforcement priorities that do not serve Americans experiencing actual discrimination; and will ensure equal treatment under the law regardless of race – including through enforcement against government programs that promote or engage in illegal forms of discrimination. By restoring the FHIP program to its original goals, HUD will focus enforcement resources on cases of intentional discrimination that are causing real harm to real people and ensure that all American's rights to fair housing access are protected.

Implementation of activities unsupported by original FHIP program goals resulted in FHEO not fully meeting its intended goals, leading to waste of taxpayer dollars, and too often the production of low-quality, redundant deliverables. This was reflected in the conclusions in the Office of Inspector General report, dated September 24, 2024, that found that the prior administration left a backlog of unresolved cases and failed to comply with its statutory obligations. FHEO has found that in part this was due to a lack of prioritization for actual intentional cases of discrimination. This backlog reflected HUD's priorities that were passed on to the FHIPs programs and grant awards. (FHEO Faces Challenges in Completing Investigations Within 100 Days | Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development.)

In addition, the manner in which HUD historically administered the FHIP program created an expectation that FHIP funding would be awarded in a manner akin to formula-based funding to largely the same list of agencies rather than through a truly competitive process. Few first-time applicants received grants, undermining the competitive nature of the program. With this NOFO, efforts have been made to increase coordination between national, state and local partners and FHEO. Future EOI deliverables will also be consistent with each other and administration priorities. In addition, FHEO is including a targeted focus on religious discrimination.

Program Objectives The Education and Outreach Initiative seeks to:

1. Expand public understanding of rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

2. Promote voluntary compliance through education and outreach.

3. Improve access to accurate, accessible fair housing information.

4. Strengthen the capacity of organizations to deliver effective fair housing education.

5. Encourage innovative communications strategies that increase the reach and effectiveness of fair housing education.

6. Foster strategic partnerships that expand educational expertise and community engagement.

https://www.hudoig.gov/open-recommendation/2024-bo-0005-001-fheo-faces-challenges-completing-investigations-within-100 https://www.hudoig.gov/open-recommendation/2024-bo-0005-001-fheo-faces-challenges-completing-investigations-within-100 https://www.hudoig.gov/open-recommendation/2024-bo-0005-001-fheo-faces-challenges-completing-investigations-within-100

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7. Develop educational resources that provide continuing public benefit beyond the period of Federal financial assistance.

8. Support a national fair housing education infrastructure capable of responding to emerging challenges and changing communications environments.

9. Increase and/or support compliance with the housing adaptability and accessibility guidelines contained in the FHA.

This NOFO has also been refocused to achieve the following Departmental objectives:

1. Targeted Focus on Religious Discrimination

The award encourages grantees to conduct activities that inform the public that religion is a protected characteristic, and that the Fair Housing Act bars discrimination based on religion. Currently, only around 2.5% of fair housing complaints involve allegations of religious discrimination. FHIPs serve a role in raising public awareness of these issues, and informing the public of their right to file housing discrimination complaints.

2. Expanding Competition.

In order to restore the competitive nature of the awards, this NOFO includes preference points for new applicants under the FHIP program. The inclusion of these preference points in this NOFO incentivizes new, first-time applicants to apply for the available FHIP awards. This is consistent with the direction provided in the recent executive order (EO 14332: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking – The White House) to broaden participation in federally funded programs. This is also consistent with the intent of the authorizing statute and the implementing regulations. FHEO intends to expand the number and types of organizations engaging in fair housing enforcement and outreach through the FHIP program. Outreach to a broader pool of applicants opens the possibility of benefiting from those with additional experience outside of the FHIP program that may have helpful insights. FHEO is offering training opportunities to support new entrants to the program.

3. Grantee Funding Requirements.

With this NOFO, we encourage applicants to secure other resources to supplement the HUD award. To ensure FHIP funding supports sustainable fair housing partnerships, FHIP funding awards will not provide more than 50% of the operating budget of the recipient organization for any one year. The authorizing statute for FHIP requires that awards to fair housing organizations "...may not provide more than 50 percent of the operating budget of the recipient organization for any one year." (42 USC 3616a(c)(1)).

This is consistent with the history of the FHIP program. Historically, "organizations that appl[ied] for FHIP awards receive[d] points if they demonstrate[d] that they ha[d] other sources of funding to support fair housing activities. Therefore, the expectation is that FHIP awards will not provide 100 percent of grantees' total funding." (HUD PD&R Study of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, 2011)

4. Ending Waste, Fraud and Abuse.

The Administration has recently established a waste fraud and abuse task force of which HUD is a member. (EO 14395: Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud – The https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/establishing-the-task-force-to-eliminate-fraud/

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White House) In addition, Executive Order 14332: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking – The White House, addresses the risk of waste, fraud and abuse in discretionary grant making, and the need for enhanced management and oversight of these awards. The order was promulgated "to improve the process of Federal grantmaking while ending offensive waste of tax dollars."

"The harm imposed by problematic Federal grants" includes but "does not stop at propagating absurd ideologies" as, "...even for projects receiving Federal funds that serve an ostensibly beneficial purpose, the Government has paid insufficient attention to their efficacy..." and, in fact, "the best proposals do not always receive funding, and there is too much unfocused research of marginal social utility... In short, there is a strong need to strengthen oversight and coordination of, and to streamline, agency grantmaking to address these problems, prevent them from recurring, and ensure greater accountability for use of public funds more broadly. The Government holds tax revenue in trust for the American people, and agencies should treat it accordingly."

Waste, fraud and abuse were issues that commenters raised in the public comments docket when the initial FHIP regulation was finalized in 1995.. At the time of the FHIP rulemaking, commenters "stressed the need for regulatory controls to ensure" that FHIP agencies are "objective and credible." They also "stressed the need for the Department to ensure that grantees do not have any conflicts of interest which might interfere" with, and that FHIP agencies have "the integrity to conduct" fair housing enforcement activities.

This NOFO will take a number of actions in furtherance of the Administration's efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, including enhancing the documentation around our risk-based review of grantees. For example, we have increased the weight of the risk score. In addition, we have included new Criminal Background, Conflict of Interest, and Integrity Sections in the NOFO. We have also expanded the performance history review to 5 years.

Applicants with unresolved civil rights matters at the application deadline are deemed ineligible.

C. Authority FHIP is authorized by section 561 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 3616a). EOI is specifically authorized under 42 U.S.C. 3616a(d). The FHIP implementing regulations are found at 24 CFR part 125 and EOI is outlined at Section 125.301.

Funding for this program is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75, approved February 3, 2026).

D. Unallowable Costs

1. Retainer Fees. FHIP recipients are under specific restrictions (outlined in the grant agreement documents) regarding establishment of retainer agreements and recovery of legal fees from HUD-funded cases. Data on fees, settlements, and verdicts are matters of public record. Awardees must provide this information to HUD annually.

Neither the grantee nor the individual(s) on whose behalf any action is filed can request that HUD waive these provisions.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/establishing-the-task-force-to-eliminate-fraud/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking/ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title42/pdf/USCODE-2023-title42-chap45-subchapI-sec3616a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title42/pdf/USCODE-2023-title42-chap45-subchapI-sec3616a.pdf…