FLINT -- A Flint legal service is getting thousands of dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help people who believe they’ve been victims of housing discrimination.

HUD reports they’re giving out about $28 million nation wide as part of the “Fair Housing Initiatives Program.”  Under this program, HUD sends “testers.” The testers are people of various minorities who are sent to inquire about the same home. They all have the same financial background, ask the same questions, and based on their response, attempt to evaluate whether housing providers are treating equally-qualified people the same.  

The program is also giving money to organizations that provide assistance to those who feel they’ve been discriminated against when house-hunting.  That’s where the Legal Services of Eastern Michigan comes in. The Flint-based program is receiving $266,448 from HUD to help with these cases.  Other Fair Housing Centers across Michigan are also receiving funds under this program.

“The Obama Administration is committed to ending housing discrimination, and these grants enable local fair housing and community organizations all over the nation to help HUD enforce the Fair Housing Act, and make people more aware of their fair housing rights,” stated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in a written release.

Do you think that this program will help ensure equality for those looking to purchase homes? Leave us your comments below.