News Release

HUD EXPANDS MULTI-LINGUAL WEBSITE TO HELP FAMILES WHO ARE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT TO GAIN ACCESS TO HUD PROGRAMS
New website offers translation of HUD Vital Documents for Free

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today unveiled an enhanced website to promote equal access to housing programs by providing important HUD documents in 12 different languages. HUD's expanded Limited English Proficiency (LEP) website features factsheets, housing brochures and other forms in Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, in addition to English.

"When buying or renting a home, obtaining important housing information should not depend on how well people speak English," said John Trasviña, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "This website greatly expands HUD's ability to offer all families access to our programs and services, regardless of the language they speak."

The HUD site offers brochures on fair housing, model lease agreements, information about HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and a Resident Rights and Responsibilities brochure in various languages. These documents are free to the public.

The LEP website is in response to Executive Order 13166, which requires all federal, local and state agencies that receive federal funding to ensure that people with limited language skills have meaningful access to government programs and services.

"The importance of homeownership and fair housing means HUD must be a leader in this area. HUD will continue our efforts to serve all persons by translating additional vital documents and posting them on the website," said Trasviña.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 10,500 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1 (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available.

To view a copy of the press release in one of the 12 languages, click the links below:

Amharic
Arabic
Armenian
Cambodian
Chinese
Farsi
French
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Tagalog
Vietnamese

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.