The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) leveraged the IndyEast Promise Zone designation on two applications to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) submitted in September of 2017. In February of 2018, they received notification that both grants applied for received funding!
FHCCI serves an important role in creating a just and equitable society in central Indiana by carrying out their mission “to ensure equal housing opportunities by eliminating housing discrimination through advocacy, enforcement, education and outreach.” The two most recent grants awarded to FHCCI fall under the IndyEast Promise Zone goal to 
“Decrease transiency rate and resident turnover by addressing barriers to decent, safe, and affordable housing of existing renters and homeowners.” FHCCI will help move the Promise Zone toward that goal with two programs: the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) and the Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI).
The Education and Outreach Initiative will decrease transiency and discrimination by increasing knowledge –
“[These funds will be used] for education and outreach to support fair housing laws. It is very important that persons in the Promise Zone understand that they have rights and responsibilities under fair housing laws. These laws provide protection from unlawful housing discrimination. This grant [will] work throughout Central Indiana to provide more trainings and outreach about fair housing laws so the public, including persons in the housing industry, are better informed about such laws.”
Increasing knowledge about the current fair housing laws can help to stop discrimination before it starts, as well as inform residents that may have been discriminated against of their rights under the law. On top of that, FHCCI was also awarded funds for the Private Enforcement Initiative, which would “focus on fair housing enforcement activities to stop housing discrimination,” such as legal cases and research. Combined, these two programs are a powerful force to ensure fair housing in the IndyEast Promise Zone and the rest of Central Indiana.
FHCCI has a history of working in the IndyEast Promise Zone. Last year, 2017, was the third year in a row in which FHCCI grant applications were awarded after leveraging the Promise Zone designation. In 2015 and 2016, FHCCI used federally awarded funds to increase knowledge and enforce the law on fair housing in our neighborhoods. The IndyEast Promise Zone is pleased to continue to prove their effectiveness through federal administrative transitions by continuing strong partnerships with organizations like FHCCI.
To learn more about the work of the Fair Housing Center, visit their News Page at www.fhcci.org/news
