(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced that New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) will receive $333,907 from the American Rescue Plan to support fair housing for Granite Staters. The funding was allocated through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program, and will increase NHLA’s capacity to engage in fair housing education, outreach and enforcement activities by providing trainings and office hours to other agencies. In addition, the funding will allow NHLA to target outreach to New Hampshire residents with disabilities who may be eligible for but are not receiving home-based services to inform them of their rights during the pandemic.

“One of the greatest challenges during this pandemic has been ensuring our most vulnerable families continue to have a roof over their heads. Raising awareness about the rights of tenants and homeowners and strengthening the enforcement of fair housing laws in New Hampshire must be a priority,” said Senator Shaheen. “This grant will bolster New Hampshire Legal Assistance’s ability to conduct critical education and outreach to local, state and private organizations tasked with protecting Granite Staters’ right to fair housing, as well as ensure vulnerable residents are aware of their housing rights under the law. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure all Granite Staters have access to safe and stable housing.”

“As more families struggle to find and keep housing, we must continue to uphold housing anti-discrimination laws,” said Senator Hassan. “Many times tenants or prospective homeowners are not aware of their rights under the law, and therefore when they are discriminated against, this abuse goes unchecked. Advocacy groups such as New Hampshire Legal Assistance do critical work safeguarding the rights of Granite Staters. I am glad to announce federal funding to help ensure that no Granite Stater is denied housing because of their race, disability status, or other factor.”

“I am thrilled to see New Hampshire Legal Assistance receive these funds as part of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program through the American Rescue Plan,” said Representative Kuster. “It is essential that every Granite Stater has a safe place to call home, and these federal dollars will support NH Legal Assistance as they work to expand access to affordable housing as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“Affordable housing is an issue that I hear about all across New Hampshire, and the economic downturn caused by the pandemic has only made it harder for Granite State families to find and afford a place to live,” said Representative Pappas. “I’m pleased that these federal funds will help New Hampshire Legal Assistance and ensure that vulnerable Granite Staters will receive education and support through home-based services as well.”

“NHLA is grateful for this additional funding, which we will use to expand outreach to individuals with disabilities facing unnecessary institutionalization due to inadequate home-based supports, to provide additional training about fair housing laws and protections to partner agencies, and to enhance operation of our existing education and enforcement activities in light of the pandemic, such as the capacity to provide hybrid in-person and remote trainings,” said New Hampshire Legal Assistance’s Fair Housing Project Co-Director, Attorney Lindsay Lincoln.

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