Fair Housing Initiatives Program
The Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) was established to provide funding to public and private entities formulating programs that prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices. FHIP supports projects and activities -- education, outreach and enforcement -- to further the purposes of the Fair Housing Act.
NAR supports the use of federal funds for public/private enforcement initiatives and we strongly advocate the establishment of education and outreach initiatives as the necessary first-steps in providing clear and precise guidance to comply with the Fair Housing Act. We believe the proper education of the industry and significant promotion of policy will increase awareness of the Act's provisions while serving to fulfill compliance with the requirements of law.
Some fair housing enforcement advocates view any attempt to restrict private enforcement as an attack against fair housing. For example, many organizations point out that designers and builders of housing have had sufficient opportunity to learn the requirements of the Act and that it is only through strict and continuous enforcement measures --regardless of the degree of evidence -- that compliance can be achieved.
Using federal funds to file complaints where there is no bona fide allegation has generated concern that fair housing advocates are using the Fair Housing Act beyond the spirit, intent and scope of its purposes. Good education is well received by REALTORS® and brings about compliance more rapidly than does enforcement, particularly when the issues are new or previously not the subject of education in a market area. NAR continuously encourages dialogue between all concerned parties to ensure full and complete understanding and compliance of the Fair Housing Act.
On March 23, 2000 HUD issued its long-awaited Final Report comparing model building codes with accessibility standards and NAR is working with housing and disability organizations to encourage HUD to develop sufficient education and outreach initiatives to promote compliance with the Fair Housing accessibility requirements. NAR believes increased FHIP appropriations will complement broader and greater education and clarity initiatives to further the future modification and development of compliant housing.
