The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will require grant applicants seeking HUD funding to comply with their state’s anti-discriminations laws that protect the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, according to a press release issued by the organization.
The requirements will apply to all of the department’s competitive grants awarded in FY 2010.
“We’re using every avenue to shut the door against discrimination,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in a statement. “Today, we take an important step to insist that those who seek federal funding must demonstrate that they are meeting local and state civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”?
HUD has traditionally required all applicants for competitive grant funding to be compliant with the federal fair housing and civil rights requirements issued in several acts, including the Fair Housing Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Now, HUD’s General Section will not consider an applicant if they do not meet the minimum requirements showing they have not been charged with housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.