Houston civil rights violation could delay Harvey disaster funds

Despite a sign announcing a proposed Houston Housing Authority subsidized-housing complex at 2640 Fountain View, the project has been scrapped. Turner's rejection of the proposal led HUD to accuse the city of civil rights violations. less Despite a sign announcing a proposed Houston Housing Authority subsidized-housing complex at 2640 Fountain View, the project has been scrapped. Turner's rejection of the proposal led HUD to accuse the city of ... more Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Houston civil rights violation could delay Harvey disaster funds 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Houston could be ineligible for future federal housing grants, including disaster recovery funds for Hurricane Harvey, because it has not resolved a federal finding that its housing practices violate civil rights law.

The city has yet to come into compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act nearly a year after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found it in violation, making it automatically ineligible for certain federal housing programs and potentially imperiling its ability to qualify for others, an Austin housing advocacy group said in a demand letter sent to HUD last week.

The Oct. 31 letter alleges Houston's recent certifications of compliance with civil rights laws — prerequisites for receiving federal funding — are "inaccurate and unsatisfactory," adding that HUD must withhold funding until the city cooperates.

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