Monday, May 14 2012 3:22PM

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded over $41 million to 99 different housing and nonprofit organizations to help victims of housing discrimination.

The grants are funded using HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and will help to enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of discriminatory practices. The grants will also be used to educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights under the act.

Nearly $30 million in grants were awarded to Private Enforcement Initiative grants that will help local nonprofit fair housing organizations prevent and eliminate discriminatory practices. Additionally, HUD designated $5.9 million toward educating the public and housing providers about rights and responsibilities under housing laws.

The remaining $5.25 million will help build capacity and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations that assist mainly those living in rural communities and immigrants.

"It is our continued commitment to ensure that every person has equal access to housing," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "These grants are a cost-effective investment. Cases bolstered by FHIP-funded investigations are more likely to uncover discrimination when it has occurred than cases without such support."

For further information, check out this source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development