WALSH ANNOUNCES OVER $211,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

(Syracuse, New York)- Congressman Jim Walsh today announced the awarding of a $211,346 grant to the Fair Housing Council of Central New York by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant is part of HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which assists fair housing activities that increase compliance with the Fair Housing Act and equivalent state and local fair housing laws administered under the Fair Housing Assistance Program.

"Protecting opportunity and access to safe, affordable housing is a critical mission," said Walsh.  "The Fair Housing Council provides a valuable service to Central New York, and it's important that the federal government support the agency in its work."

The Fair Housing Council will use the grant funds to carry out their mission of helping to enforce the Federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits housing discrimination as well as fraud and mortgage lending abuses. The group provides education, investigates complaints, uses undercover testers to assess whether landlords and property sellers discriminate, and if necessary pursues legal action. HUD grants are the group's primary source of funding.

"I'm thrilled that we've been awarded the HUD grant," said Merrilee Witherell, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Council. "Congressman Walsh has always been a strong and supportive advocate for Fair Housing over the years."

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