Fair Housing Foundation and HomeOwnership OC Partner to Receive $425,000 AnnualFair Housing Initiatives Grant to Fight Housing Discrimination

Fair Housing Foundation and HomeOwnership OC Partner to Receive $425,000 Annual Fair Housing Initiatives Grant to Fight Housing Discrimination

For Immediate Release – June 1, 2023

Media Contact:
Christina Prado
1-800-446-3247 ext. 1104
[email protected]

Long Beach, CA – Fair Housing Foundation and HomeOwnership OC announced today that the nonprofit organizations have received a Fair Housing Initiatives (FHIP) Private Enforcement Initiatives (PEI) grant of $425,000 annually for 3 years from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The FHIP PEI grant will support their collaborative work to help enforce and educate on fair housing laws and end housing discrimination in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. The funds are provided through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) PEI which provides support to local nonprofit agencies to help assist individuals who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination learn about options, file complaints, and resolve fair housing issues. The PEI grant also helps to educate the public and housing providers about their rights and responsibilities under federal law or state and local fair housing laws that are substantially equivalent to the Fair Housing Act. The grant also provides funds for fair housing education, outreach and enforcement related services to individuals who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

“We are eager to continue expanding our fair housing enforcement efforts to combat housing discrimination in our communities,” said Stella Verdeja, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Foundation. “With this collaboration, we will enhance our fair housing program and services on fair housing laws to assist renters, homeowners, home seekers, and the housing industry. We are committed to advancing housing equality for everyone.”

HOOC and FHF have partnered together on FHIP Education and Outreach Grants for the past 2 years and will now partner on this FHIP PEI grant to provide a strategic fair housing testing, enforcement and educational campaign that offers online fair housing educational workshops, Covid-19 rental and fair housing information, public service announcements, social media ads and updates to both of their websites to better serve the Orange and Los Angeles communities. “We are excited to be able to partner again with the Fair Housing Foundation to strategically expand our fair housing outreach and education to ensure our communities have the knowledge and resources to prevent and report housing discrimination,” said Connie Der Torossian, Executive Director of HomeOwnership OC. “As we recover from the economic and housing impacts of Covid-19 and its unprecedented effect on our communities, it is very important for us to expand our programs that help renters, homeowners, home seekers and the housing industry recover, understand fair housing laws, and ensure housing is equally available to all individuals regardless of their protected class.” Individuals who have questions or feel they have experienced discrimination can call Fair Housing Foundation at 562.989.1206 or visit www.fhfca.org or HomeOwnership OC at 714.204.2314 or visit www.HomeOwnershipOC.org.

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About Fair Housing Foundation
The Fair Housing Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1964 and is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting equal access to housing choices for everyone. FHF engages in activities including outreach and education, testing and investigation, and counteracting and eliminating discriminatory housing practices in both Los Angeles and

Orange Counties. The Fair Housing Foundation is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency and also offers Rental Counseling. Please contact Fair Housing Foundation at 1-800-446-3247 (TTY: 1-800 855-7100) for more information.

About HomeOwnership OC
Homeownership OC is a nonprofit that promotes financial improvement, housing opportunities and homeownership. Formally known as OC HOC, our mission is to promote and preserve the dream of home ownership through outreach, education, counseling, and financing. Homeownership OC works to educate the public, especially the low income and underserved populations, on all aspects of owning or renting a home. We are a one stop shop and a free resource here to assist the community with all their housing related issues. From renting to buying a home, to credit improvement and more, Homeownership OC works to ensure the community has the most up to date information and comprehensive resources easily accessible. This includes offering individual housing counseling and educational workshops to help individuals better understand housing situations, build assets, and improve overall financial wellbeing. Since our inception in 2007, we have counseled more than 13,600 homeowners on options to save their home from foreclosure, credit, homeownership, and down payment programs and held more than 66 Home Preservation, Home Buying, Avoiding Real Estate Scams and Fraud, and Financial Educational Workshops throughout Orange County.

FHF Receives $75,000 Grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation

Fair Housing Foundation Receives $75,000 Grant
from the Wells Fargo Foundation to Keep Californian’s House

FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Christina Prado

1-800-446-3247 ext. 1104

[email protected]

Long Beach, CA – March 30, 2023 – Today, Fair Housing Foundation announced a $75,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation which will enable the organization to increase rental counseling services and the capacity to enhance marketing and outreach efforts to serve communities.

Since 2020, Wells Fargo Foundation has continued to provide support to national nonprofit housing intermediaries, local housing counselors, and nonprofit housing providers to support housing stability for renters and homeowners across the U.S. who are facing financial challenges. Strategies include expanding the capacity of housing counselors to respond to renters and homeowners as well as supporting nonprofits that provide affordable rental homes and services.

“Wells Fargo has a deep commitment to advance housing affordability solutions by supporting the work of housing counseling organizations as they serve a vital role in helping renters and homeowners facing financial difficulties,” said Stella Verdeja, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Foundation.

The Wells Fargo Foundation philanthropy strategy is focused on keeping people in their homes, small business support, and financial health in collaboration with national and local organizations.

In addition to Fair Housing Foundation, other Wells Fargo Foundation COVID-19 Housing Counseling Support grantees include: Enterprise Community Partners, GreenPath, HomeFree-USA, Housing Partnership Network, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, National Foundation for Credit Counseling, National Urban League, Navicore Solutions, NID Housing, NeighborWorks® America, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, UnidosUS and USA Homeownership Foundation DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals.

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About Fair Housing Foundation

The Fair Housing Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1964 and is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting equal access to housing choices for everyone. FHF engages in activities including outreach and education, testing and investigation, and counteracting and eliminating discriminatory housing practices in both Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The Fair Housing Foundation is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency and also offers Rental Counseling. Please contact Fair Housing Foundation at 1-800-446-3247 (TTY: 1-800 855-7100) for more information.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.98 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,400 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 31 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 263,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s 2019 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

2023 Youth Poster Contest

2023 Fair Housing Youth Poster Contest has Launched!

February, 2023 – On your art! Get set… Go! Our annual Fair Housing Poster contest is back! The contest is open to students in 4th through 8th grade. Students must create a poster on any size paper with this year’s theme “Fair Housing: My Right!” and submit a picture in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format to: cprado@fhfca.org

1st Place – Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones in Blue

2nd Place – $75 Amazon Gift card

3rd Place – $50 Gaming Gift Card

Rules:

Open to youth in 4th-8th grade
Create a poster on any size paper
No zip code restrictions
Take a picture and submit posters via email in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format to: [email protected].
Include child’s name, phone #, age, grade, and school
All posters should contain wording and imagery that conveys this year’s theme.
Due Date: 4/20/23

The contest will take place during FHF’s annual event with welcomed partners also celebrating Affordable and Fair Housing Months — The Kennedy Commission. Attendees and social media subscribers will be able to vote on their favorite artwork during the event and via Social Media.

Good Luck!

Download the Flyer!

Press Release: Fair Housing Foundation Awarded $30,000 Donation from Pennymac Corporate Philanthropy Program

Fair Housing Foundation Awarded $30,000 Donation from Pennymac Corporate Philanthropy Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Christina Prado
1-800-446-3247 ext. 1104
[email protected]

Long Beach, CA, February 15, 2023 – Pennymac is celebrating 15 years of “becoming the most respected and trusted lender within the industry, [and] are proud to have successfully helped over 4 million lifetime homeowners across the country achieve their aspirations of home.” As part of their celebration, Pennymac has awarded Fair Housing Foundation with a donation of $30,000 to continue the ongoing mission of eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting equal access to housing choices for everyone.

“Thank you Pennymac for your great generosity! We, at the Fair Housing Foundation greatly appreciate your donation, and your support is invaluable to us,” stated Stella Verdeja, Executive Director.

Thanks to Pennymac’s generous contribution, FHF will be able to reach more families, address more questions, and assist with more issues to create stronger homes and even stronger communities. The resources provided will be focused on enhancing programs that provide education and training around fair housing rights and expectations, enhance awareness on the services and programs available, and allow for more people to thrive in their homes and neighborhoods in the confidence that Fair Housing Foundation is on your side.

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About Fair Housing Foundation

FH Poster Contest 2022

The 38th Annual Fair Housing Poster Contest is Here!

January 28, 2022 – On your art! Get set… Go! Our annual Fair Housing Poster contest is back! The contest is open to students in 4th through 8th grade. Students must create a poster on any size paper with this year’s theme “Fair Housing: Transforming Communities” and submit a picture in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format to: [email protected]

1st Place – Chromebook 💻
2nd Place – $75 Amazon Gift card 🛒
3rd Place – $50 Gaming Gift Card 🎮

Poster submission deadline is Saturday, April 16, 2022. This year we will be announcing the winner during our Virtual Fair Housing Month event in April.

Good Luck!

COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

June 28, 2021 – Governor Newsom signed legislation AB 832, extending the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program through September 30, 2021.

AB 832 extends eviction protections to September 30, 2021 and now covers 100 percent of past-due and prospective rent payments, as well as utility bills for income-qualified tenants. These efforts will enable low-income households most impacted by the pandemic to stay in their homes and prevent displacement which will be crucial to an equitable recovery.

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief provides financial assistance to income-qualified renters experiencing housing instability. The program provides rent reimbursement to landlords for unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020, as well as for future rent. Qualifying renters and landlords are now eligible for 100% of rent and utilities owed.

Contact us to apply for this program.

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The 37th Annual Fair Housing Poster Contest Has Concluded!

Long Beach, CA – April 28, 2020 – Thank you to all the students that participated in this year’s poster contest!

Here are the winners!

Congratulations!

1st Place — Marco 7th Grade
2nd Place — Horatio 8th Grade
3rd Place — Peyton 8th Grade

Contest Guidelines –
For all you smarty paints, our annual poster contest is gearing up! This year will be virtual to comply with safety regulations. What better way to pass the time than by staying home and working on an art project with a loved one? We know these are difficult times and some families have limited access to poster paper so we have modified our rules for this current health crisis. As before, the contest is open to students in Grades 4th through 8th.