HUD donates $425K to CLASI to address housing concerns

Photo Left to Right: Natalie Fountain, Eugene Young, Jr., Maria Bynum, Matthew Heckles, Daniel Atkins, John Whitelaw, Rachel Stucker, Linda Jackson and State Senator Elizabeth Lockman. | PHOTO COURTESY OF HUD

WILMINGTON – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Matthew Heckles and Wilmington Field Office Director Maria Bynum granted $425,000 to Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. to fight housing discrimination and to start off Delaware’s first of four fair housing month events. CLASI’s equitable Housing Month Roundtable will promote equitable housing rights and inclusive communities.

“The Biden-Harris Administration and HUD are prioritizing their commitment to strengthening fair housing protections and enforcement,” Regional Administrator Matthew Heckles said.  “We are excited to present CLASI with its third installment of Private Enforcement Initiative funding in the amount of $425,000 so it can continue its fine work of making a difference in Delaware by conducting testing for compliance with fair housing laws statewide .”

“CLASI is very grateful to HUD for their partnership and the generous funding they’ve announced today, which will allow us to continue and expand the vital work of our Fair Housing Program, enabling us to serve even more Delawareans who have been victims of housing discrimination,” CLASI Executive Director Daniel Atkins said. “We feel privileged to engage in this work as we investigate and seek to eliminate the housing discrimination that affects some of our most vulnerable neighbors, including people with disabilities and people in traditionally marginalized and underserved communities.”

Since 1946, CLASI has combatted injustice through civil legal advocacy in Delaware.  HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) funds fair housing organizations, like CLASI, that assist individuals who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.  FHIP provides funds to eligible organizations through competitive grants under several initiatives to carry out enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices and inform individuals of their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.  CLASI will use the third installment of its PEI grant to conduct testing, investigate violations and obtain enforcement of the rights granted under the Fair Housing Act or State or local laws.