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April 2023 » thefivestar.com 65 J O U R N A L April 2023 governments about the rights and responsi- bilities that exist under the Fair Housing Act. "The programs and services provided by the Fair Housing Initiatives Program are vital to eliminating housing discrimina- tion that too many in this country endure," said Demetria L. McCain, HUD's Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "As we prepare to recognize the fifty-fifth anniversary of the Fair Housing Act next month, we know we have more work to do in the fight against housing discrimination. But, efforts of our fair housing partners through the years have made a significant contribution, helping thousands of people and families. The funds provided today will ensure that our state and local partners have the financial resources they need to continue educating the public and opposing discriminatory practices in the communities they serve." HUD is awarding grants in the following categories and amounts: Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI): This initiative funds non-profit fair hous- ing organizations to carry out testing and enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices. » HUD is awarding $14,575,000 to new orga- nizations to conduct intake, provide testing, and investigate and litigate fair housing complaints under the Fair Housing Act. » HUD is awarding $26,350,000 to second- and third-year FY 2020 and FY 2021 PEI Multi-year grantees. This multi-year award will allow grantees to continue fair housing investigations, testing, and other fair housing enforcement activities. Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI): This program offers support for fair housing activities that educate the public and housing providers about equal opportunity in housing and compliance with the fair housing laws. » HUD is awarding $9,425,000 to organiza- tions that educate the public and housing providers about the Fair Housing Act. These grants will also support state and local organizations that enhance fair housing laws that are substantially equiv- alent to the Fair Housing Act. Education and Outreach Initiative Test Coordinator Training (EOI-TCT): The Fair Housing Initiatives Program is a significant source of funding for FHIP grantees that conduct fair housing testing in local com- munities across the country. Fair housing testing refers to the use of testers who, like "secret shoppers," pose as prospective renters or buyers of real estate to determine whether housing providers and others are complying with the federal Fair Housing Act. » HUD is awarding $500,000 to one orga- nization to support fair housing train- ing courses specifically in fair housing testing. Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI): This program provides funding that builds the capacity and effectiveness of non- profit fair housing organizations by providing funds to handle fair housing enforcement and education initiatives more effectively. FHOI also strengthens the fair housing movement nationally by encouraging the creation and growth of organizations that focus on the rights and needs of underserved groups, particularly persons with disabilities. » HUD is awarding $3,700,000 to equip nonprofit organizations to conduct fair housing enforcement-related activities. The award will also establish and support a new organization to engage in fair hous- ing enforcement work, particularly in unserved and underserved jurisdictions. TREASURY: NEARLY 11 MILLION PAYMENTS MADE TO HELP PREVENT EVICTIONS D eputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo has announced new data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury through December 31, 2022, shows that nearly 10.8 million Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) payments were made to households at risk of eviction while investing in projects to support long-term housing stability. "This new Emergency Rental Assistance data reflects an intentional effort to make sure that rental assistance got into the hands of those who needed it most, and those who might otherwise have faced the devastating consequences of eviction," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo during remarks at the National Low Income Housing Coalition's 2023 Housing Policy Fo- rum. "Today's data illustrates how ERA funds have kept millions of families in their homes. But beyond that, it underscores that we must build on the legacy of the ERA program and help communities make long-term, durable investments in eviction prevention, home- owner assistance, and the construction and preservation of affordable housing." Combined, ERA has made $46.55 billion available to promote housing stability. In addition, a report the Treasury Department released earlier this month found that state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments have also used $15.9 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for more than 2,100 projects to meet housing needs, including over $5.4 billion commit- ted to affordable housing development and preservation. "The Emergency Rental Assistance Program along with the federal eviction moratorium formed the most important fed- eral housing policy in the last decade," said Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted, and founder of Princeton University's Eviction Lab. "These combined initiatives were the deepest investment in low-income renters the federal government has made since the nation launched its public housing system." ERA grantees nationwide have suc- cessfully used housing stability services to support outreach to various communities, to fund eviction prevention and diversion efforts, and to support relocation and re- housing efforts. While eviction diversion pro- grams were uncommon before the pandemic, at least 180 jurisdictions across 36 states have launched or strengthened eviction diversion programs with ERA. "Research has made clear the grave con- sequences of eviction for families. Evictions can interrupt school and work, undermine physical and mental health, and make it more challenging to qualify for housing assistance benefits or find new housing," said