Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) (Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHIP))

Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) (Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHIP)) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program provides grants to eligible private, non-profit fair housing enforcement organizations to conduct testing and investigate violations of and enforce the Fair Housing Act, and State or local laws with equivalent rights and remedies.

Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) | HUD. gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Statutorily Or Congressionally Mandated Information Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Welcome Find funding Timeline Training & guides Research desk FAQs Four coordinated initiatives. One fair housing system.

Find the right FHIP opportunity - and build a stronger application. Compare opportunities See application timeline ↓ Welcome from the Assistant Secretary ↓ Current competitive opportunities Approximately available across the four current listings, with 55 expected awards. HUD’s broader FY2025/26 funding figure also includes approximately $27M in PEI continuation funding for prior-year grantees outside the current PEI competition.

PEI Support Private Enforcement AEI Strengthen public enforcement FHOI Build durable capacity A message for prospective applicants Welcome from the Assistant Secretary An introductory message from the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity will be posted here. Start with the work you do. These summaries are navigation aids, not substitutes for the NOFO.

Always use the official document to determine eligibility and prepare an application.

All Opportunities Nonprofits QFHO / FHO FHAP agencies Education & media Capacity Building Showing out of opportunities Fair Housing Organizations Initiative HUD’s organizational capacity-building initiative: a portfolio of investments in durable private fair housing infrastructure, specialized expertise, partnerships, intake, testing, accessibility, and litigation support.

Private, nonprofit, charitable, tax-exempt QFHOs, FHOs, and other private nonprofit groups seeking to build fair housing-enforcement capacity. Capacity that lasts beyond a single grant period and produces measurable public benefit—not organizational growth for its own sake.

Define a clear infrastructure need, explain how the proposed capacity will be used, identify qualified partners, and show how the investment will remain useful after the award.

Sustainable Partnership for Accessibility National Testing Partnership Development National Intake Support Partnership National Litigation Support Partnership Targeted recruitment brochures Public Interest Law Firms ↗ Law Schools & Universities ↗ Civil Rights & Community Nonprofits ↗ Trade Associations ↗ Schools of Architecture & Planning ↗ Recruitment-guide links currently route to HUD’s FHIP program page until the individual brochure files are published.

Assistance listing 14. 417 Open federal opportunity record Modernize public enforcement Administrative Enforcement Initiative Strengthens state and local administrative enforcement through technology, process improvement, training, data systems, and specialized capacity. This competition is limited to state or local agencies participating in FHAP and not under suspension or a performance-improvement plan.

More timely, consistent, secure, and accessible administrative enforcement through better workflows, tools, expertise, and coordination. Document a specific enforcement barrier, connect technology or process changes to measurable service improvements, and address implementation, procurement, privacy, security, and sustainability.

Technology and Efficiency (AEI-TE) Religious Discrimination (AEI-RD) Targeted recruitment brochures FHAP Agencies ↗ Technology & Innovation Partners ↗ Recruitment-guide links currently route to HUD’s FHIP program page until the individual brochure files are published. Assistance listing 14. 417 Award range $2M–$10M listing range Open federal opportunity record Raise awareness.

Support compliance. Education and Outreach Initiative Funds coordinated education, outreach, and media that help the public, housing providers, and other stakeholders understand fair housing rights, obligations, and complaint pathways. Eligibility varies by component and includes QFHOs, FHOs, qualifying nonprofits, FHAP agencies, state and local entities, and certain other public or private organizations.

Audience-centered education that improves understanding, encourages voluntary compliance, and helps people recognize and report unlawful discrimination. Identify a defined audience and documented need, use appropriate delivery channels, ensure legal accuracy and accessibility, and measure whether the information was understood or used.

National Media Campaign (EOI-NMC) Targeted recruitment brochures FHAP Agencies ↗ Trade Associations ↗ Faith-Based & Religious Community Organizations ↗ Recruitment-guide links currently route to HUD’s FHIP program page until the individual brochure files are published. Assistance listing 14.

416 Open federal opportunity record Private Enforcement Initiative Supports eligible private nonprofit fair housing organizations conducting complaint intake, testing, investigation, referrals, voluntary resolution, and enforcement of meritorious claims. Private, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) QFHOs or FHOs with the experience specified in the NOFO. Co-applicants and consortia are not eligible applicants.

Identifying and addressing unlawful discrimination through credible evidence, coordinated investigations, testing, referrals, and enforcement activity. Demonstrate legal and investigative capability, a clear enforcement need, feasible case-development methods, strong quality controls, and coordination with HUD, FHAP, or other appropriate partners.

State and Local Housing Discrimination (PEI-SLHDC) Targeted recruitment brochures State & Local Housing Discrimination Initiative ↗ Recruitment-guide links currently route to HUD’s FHIP program page until the individual brochure files are published. Assistance listing 14.

418 Open federal opportunity record Training and recruitment resources Orient first-time applicants, leadership teams, grant staff, and prospective partners before developing a project concept. Two recorded training webinars The sessions introduce FHIP’s structure, eligibility, application requirements, and federal submission process.

Applicant Training Webinar #1 Program structure and finding the right initiative Applicant Training Webinar #2 Application requirements and submission readiness Brochures for prospective applicants and partners Audience-specific guides show how existing expertise and networks can support fair housing education, enforcement, or durable capacity.

Browse guides by initiative Open an initiative’s eligibility details to see its targeted brochures. Your path to a ready application Use this sequence to move from program fit to a complete, review-ready submission. Review the four initiatives and identify the best program and component fit.

Watch applicant trainings and confirm eligibility, registrations, and required partners. Define the need, work plan, responsible staff, budget, outcomes, and sustainability. Complete internal review and submit early enough to resolve technical issues.

Begin registrations, component selection, partnerships, work plans, and budgets early. The NOFOs warn that SAM. gov registration can take several weeks.

All deadlines are 11:59:59 p. m. Eastern .

Late applications are not eligible. Submit through Grants. gov unless HUD approves a waiver.

All four current opportunity records posted Confirm SAM. gov, UEI, Login. gov, and Grants.

gov registrations. FHOI and AEI applications due Anticipated award date: September 30, 2026. EOI and PEI applications due Anticipated award date: February 28, 2027.

Performance periods begin FHOI/AEI: February 1. EOI/PEI: estimated July 1. Applicant Reference Information Across all four initiatives What a strong application should demonstrate Tie every activity and cost to the Fair Housing Act and the selected initiative.

Clear need Define the problem, people, geography, and gap the project will address. Practical plan Use discrete tasks, responsible staff, realistic timing, and a reasonable budget. Measurable outcomes Show who will be reached, what will improve, and how progress will be evaluated.

Coordination Explain the working relationship among HUD, FHAP agencies, FHIP recipients, and other partners. Durable public benefit Describe the capability, system, knowledge, or enforcement pathway that will remain. Existing program page and supporting links ↗ Preserve the opportunity number, NOFO version, posting date, and source URL when citing a funding notice.

Check version history and Grants. gov updates before relying on a downloaded copy. Questions about FHIP?

[email protected] Schools of Architecture and Planning Civil Rights and Community Nonprofits Law Schools and Universities Public Interest Law Firms Frequently Asked Questions Can you clarify how HUD defines a qualified fair housing organization for FHOI, and what documentation is required to prove that status?

"Qualified fair housing enforcement organization (QFHO) means any organization, whether or not it is solely engaged in fair housing enforcement activities, that— (1) Is organized as a private, tax-exempt, nonprofit, charitable organization; (2) Has at least 2 years experience in complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations and enforcement of meritorious claims; and (3) Is engaged in complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations and enforcement of meritorious claims at the time of application for FHIP assistance.

For the purpose of meeting the 2-year qualification period for the activities included in paragraph (2) of this definition, it is not necessary that the activities were conducted simultaneously, as long as each activity was conducted for 2 years. It is also not necessary for the activities to have been conducted for 2 consecutive or continuous years.

An organization may aggregate its experience in each activity over the 3 year period preceding its application to meet the 2-year qualification period requirement. The Department may request an organization to submit documentation to support its claimed status as a QFHO.

Some examples of documentation the Department may request are as follows: documentation to prove status as tax-exempt, nonprofit, charitable organization (i.e. 501(c)(3)); organizational Bylaws or incorporation documents detailing your primary purpose to eliminate housing discrimination; records of complaint intake, investigation, fair housing testing, and enforcement over the preceding 2 years."

For organizations expanding into fair housing work, what evidence does HUD consider acceptable to demonstrate capacity under PEI or FHOI? Acceptable evidence would be any evidence describing the applicant's experience in formulating or carrying out similar programs that rely on transferable skills. Are new organizations eligible for PEI if they partner with an established fair housing group?

"To be eligble for a PEI award you must be either a: Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization (QFHO) with at least two years of experience in all of the following fair housing enforcement related activities in the three years prior to filing the application hereunder: complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations, and enforcement related experience of meritorious claims; or a Fair Housing Enforcement Organization (FHO) with at least one year of experience in all of the following fair housing enforcement related activities in the two years prior to filing the application for funding hereunder: complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations, and enforcement related experience of meritorious claims (Please refer to the NOFO and 42 U.S.C.

3616(a) for more information)" For organizations that provide housing and wraparound services, which FHIP initiative is the best fit for expanding fair housing enforcement or education? The Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) specifically builds the capacity of these organizations to investigate discrimination, enforce the Fair Housing Act, and expand their services into underserved areas.

Through its EOI (Education and Outreach Initiative) award, HUD funds programs which educate the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to prevent and eliminate housing discrimination. Either of these two initiatives may be approriate for your agency, however, you should read each NOFO carefully to determine the best fit.

Can a housing nonprofit apply for FHOI if it is building fair housing capacity for the first time? FHOI provides funding to help establish new fair housing enforcement organizations or build the capacity of existing organizations.

The goal of FHOI is to build the capacity in fair housing to conduct enforcement activities, including investigating, mediating and litigating housing discrimination complaints, as well as testing housing providers for unlawful discrimination. Can we apply for both PEI and Education/Outreach components simultaneously?

Yes, you can apply for both the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) and Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) within the same FHIP grant cycle, but you must submit separate, distinct applications for each program area. We have never applied for the Education/Outreach component in the past - is it possible to be funded for both components, or if successful, would we only be funded under one single component?

Yes, you can apply for both the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) and Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) within the same FHIP grant cycle, but you must submit separate, distinct applications for each program area. If we were to be included as a sub-contractor in the government's fair housing application, would that diminish the strength of our individual proposal for continued funding of our existing fair housing program?

If your organization was included as a subcontractor under a government's fair housing application, that fact alone would not automatically strengthen or weaken a separate application submitted by your organization. The competitiveness of any application would depend on the specific proposal, the scope of work, and how well it addresses the requirements and evaluation criteria in the NOFO.

May QFHO's apply for FHAP funding in the same way that FHAPs may apply for FHIP funding? Directly, no. However, HUD's does offer Partnership Funds directly to Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) funds to allow an eligible FHAP agency to hire or partner with specialized external entities (which could presumably include FHIP-funded entities) to effectively execute local fair housing laws.

What are the FY 2026 priority areas HUD wants applicants to emphasize in their proposals? Each NOFO identifies the funding priorities, eligible activities, evaluation criteria, and administrative procedures that HUD will apply to FY 2026 grants. Will FY 2026 funding levels differ significantly from FY 2025 for each initiative?

The FY25-FY26 funding levels are as follows: PEI- $13,546,112; EOI- $10,750,000; FHOI- $50,100,000; AEI- $10,000,000 What are the most common reasons applications are rejected or scored lower? Please see the "Application Review Information" section of the NOFO for more information on how an application is reviewed. What elements distinguish a high-scoring application in FY 2026?

Please see the "Application Review Information" section of the NOFO for more information on how your application is scored. Are there any new required attachments or forms for FY 2026 that differ from previous years? Please see the "Application Contents and Format" section of the NOFO for more information on required documents.

What compliance issues (2 CFR 200, civil rights requirements) should applicants be especially careful about this year? Applicants must comply with all laws, regulations, and policies listed in the applicable 2026 NOFO including, but not limited to, 2 CFR 200 and current Executive Orders and administration priorities. Please read the NOFO carefully to determine the necessary requirements.

Is the HUD-2991 Consistency with the Consolidated Plan required for the EOI application? Yes, a Certification of Consistency with the Consolidated Plan (HUD-2991) is required. Does HUD encourage partnerships between housing nonprofits and fair housing enforcement organizations?

"Yes. HUD does encourage partnership. Partnership is a collaboration with one or more identified agencies, task forces, FHAP organizations, or other groups to successfully realize the service or activity planned.

A partnership may be formal and contractual with specific roles and deliverables defined, or less formal cooperation through volunteer efforts accomplished without a contract. In fact, your application may recieve extra points based on your partnership activities. Please read the NOFO carefully to determine the types of partnership activities which may quliafy for preference points.

" If partnering, how should responsibilities be documented in the application? You should ensure that all applicable application elements thoroughly document your proposed parnerhsip activities, including, but not limited to your: Statement of Work, Budget, and Narrative section. Does HUD prioritize applications serving rural counties or areas with limited fair housing enforcement capacity?

HUD encourages applicants from underserved areas to apply. Underserved Areas are areas where there are no FHIP or FHAP agencies and/or where either no public or private fair housing organizations exist, or the jurisdiction is not sufficiently served by one or more public or private fair housing organizations and there is a need for service. How should applicants demonstrate local need for fair housing services in their region?

One way to establish local need is by exhibiting that your region is underserved. Underserved Areas are areas where there are no FHIP or FHAP agencies and/or where either no public or private fair housing organizations exist, or the jurisdiction is not sufficiently served by one or more public or private fair housing organizations and there is a need for service.

What types of activities are considered strong under the Education and Outreach Initiative? "The FY2026 competition seeks to identify funding priorities intended to strengthen fair housing education. The Education and Outreach Initiative seeks to: 1.

Expand public understanding of rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act; 2. Promote voluntary compliance through education and outreach; 3. Improve access to accurate, accessible fair housing information; 4.

Strengthen the capacity of organizations to deliver effective fair housing education; 5. Encourage innovative communications strategies that increase the reach and effectiveness of fair housing education; 6. Foster strategic partnerships that expand educational expertise and community engagement; 7.

Develop educational resources that provide continuing public benefit beyond the period of Federal financial assistance; 8. Support a national fair housing education infrastructure capable of responding to emerging challenges and changing communications environments; 9. Increase and/or support compliance with the housing adaptability and accessibility guidelines contained in the FHA.

" For PEI, what level of investigative capacity must be demonstrated at the time of application? "In accordance with 42 U.S.C.

3616(a), to receive an award under this NOFO you must be either a: (1) Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization (QFHO) with at least two years of experience in all of the following fair housing enforcement related activities in the three years prior to filing the application hereunder: complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations, and enforcement related experience of meritorious claims; or a (2) Fair Housing Enforcement Organization (FHO) with at least one year of experience in all of the following fair housing enforcement related activities in the two years prior to filing the application for funding hereunder: complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations, and enforcement related experience of meritorious claims.

" Will HUD offer technical assistance sessions before the NOFO closes? HUD proudly has offered this website containing frequently asked questions, two technical assistance webinars, and brochures designed to raise awareness about the NOFOs. Please send any additional NOFO related questions to [email protected] .

If Grants. gov or SAM. gov issues occur, what is the official process for documenting them?

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants. gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035, or via email to [email protected] . The Grants.

gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. The Federal Service Desk (FSD) provides support for the System for Award Management - SAM. gov. The FSD is a free technical support service desk for user assistance.

Visit FSD. gov to search frequently asked questions, chat live with a support agent, or submit a web form for assistance. What reporting requirements or performance measures are new for FY 2026?

HUD requires recipients to submit performance, financial, and program reports as outlined below. You must comply with these reporting requirements to remain eligible for HUD funding (please see NOFO Section VII (D) POST - AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION (Reporting)). How soon after award must grantees begin program activities?

Project start dates will differ by organization; the actual start date of the project period of performance will be determined through negotiations with HUD. Will organizations be required to file complaints with HUD? To put it another way, if an organization chooses to file in state court or federal court, must it also file with HUD.

I suppose one way to reconcile the apparent contradictory language is this: (a) HUD will require grantees to describe the referral process to HUD in the event the grantee wants to refer a case to HUD but (b) HUD will not require all complaints to be filed with HUD. In any event, I hope you can address this question.

Although not all complaints will result in a referrral, applicants must describe a referral process that will result in referral of fair housing complaints to HUD or substantially equivalent state, local or other government agencies.

Page 24 - "Coordination with Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) participants: Each non-governmental recipient of regional, local, or community-based funding for activities located within the jurisdiction of a State or local enforcement agency or agencies administering a substantially equivalent fair housing law (FHAP agency) must consult with the agency or agencies to coordinate activities funded under FHIP."

The application does not appear to describe what HUD anticipates or expects regarding this coordination. Can you please describe more fully?" Applicants should describe how proposed outreach activities will be coordinated, where appropriate, with HUD, FHAP agencies, FHIP recipients, and other fair housing stakeholders to avoid duplication and improve consistency of messaging.

Will HUD require testers to undergo criminal background checks, and should applicants budget for those costs? All recipients must certify compliance with FHIP Regulation 24 CFR §125. 107, when fair housing testing is being performed.

Reasonable costs associated with criminal background checks for fair housing testers are an allowable budget expense. Page 69 - "Accessibility testing cannot be targeted only at RAD conversion projects. It must incorporate any type of locally available public housing within the testing program or remove this activity."

Question: Must grantees conduct accessibility tests of public housing units? I ask because, due to long waiting lists for public housing, it can be difficult (or impossible) to obtain an appointment to see a public housing unit and hence conduct an accessibility test. A grantee must only incorporate available public housing within the testing program.