HOPE, Inc. is facing an unprecedented challenge. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has informed us that they were immediately halting their fair housing grants to HOPE. We very much appreciate the funding that we receive from local governments, sponsorships, memberships, and donations. But, for perspective, due to the enormity and significance of our work, the federal government was providing over sixty percent of HOPE’s financial resources.

These funds that have been cut off do not represent new grants that HOPE was trying to get. These are funds that were already allocated to us by HUD, as memorialized through signed agreements. We have learned that fair housing agencies across the country had their grants terminated at the same time. The grant terminations are not tied at all to any conduct or action on the part of these fair housing agencies. Rather, the federal government has decided that the nature of our work is itself the problem.

Let’s not kid ourselves – housing discrimination remains prevalent, whether or not the administration thinks that fair housing is a priority. But HOPE provides people with recourse. In HOPE’s 36 years of existence, we have helped recover over 12 million dollars in settlements. HOPE has stepped in to enforce fair housing laws so that victims of discrimination can do something about it! HOPE reaches thousands of people every year in Florida’s Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and that is with the existence of a Miami field office for HUD. In our absence, where will the thousands of people next year turn, when they face discrimination? And the year after that? And the year after THAT? In 2023 (the most recent available figures), local governments handled about 19% of housing discrimination complaints, nationwide. The federal government handled about 6% of the cases. Fair housing agencies like HOPE dealt with the remaining 75% of fair housing complaints!

And so, we ask you for your contributions toward our efforts, in whatever way that you can make them. We certainly appreciate your financial help. We appreciate you spreading the word to your contacts about the reality of this situation. We appreciate you reaching out to your Representatives and Senators in Washington, DC to express that funding for fair housing agencies is CRUCIAL.

Please click on this link to make a donation in the fight against housing discrimination: https://hopefhc.com/donations/

HOPE greatly appreciates your support!

Thank you!