Limited English Proficiency Implementation Plan Providing Federally-Conducted Activities to Persons with Limited English Proficiency

Information by State  Print version

This website is for the use of HUD program offices, HUD funded recipients, other Federal Agencies working with HUD, and advocacy groups working with limited English proficient (LEP) populations. It provides guidance to HUD’s own program staff to follow to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to HUD programs and activities. The implementation plans show how HUD programs plan to comply with Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.” While the Executive Order does not impose any new requirements on Federal agencies, it requires that greater emphasis be put on existing requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect persons based on national origin.

On August 11, 2000, Executive Order 13166, titled, "Improving Access to Services by Persons with Limited English Proficiency, was issued." Executive Order 13166 requires federal agencies to assess and address the needs of otherwise eligible persons seeking access to federally conducted programs and activities who, due to LEP cannot fully and equally participate in or benefit from those programs and activities. Section 2 of the Executive Order 13166 directs each federal department or agency "to prepare a plan to improve access to…federally conducted programs and activities by eligible LEP persons… Once finalized, such plans are to be filed with the Department of Justice as the central repository of agencies' plans." In compliance with Section 2 of Executive Order 13166, this Implementation Plan details the Department of Housing and Urban Development's initiatives and plans over the next twelve months to improve access to its federally conducted programs and activities by eligible persons with limited English proficiency (LEP).

II. Background

The general mission of the Department of Housing and Urban Development is to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity, and a suitable living environment for every American free from discrimination. HUD has six strategic goals to help in achieving its mission:

• Increase Homeownership Opportunities for low-and moderate-income persons, persons with disabilities, the elderly, ethnic and racial minorities, and families with limited English proficiency.
  
  
• Promote Decent Affordable Housing by expanding access to affordable rental housing, improving the physical quality and management accountability of public and assisted housing, and helping HUD-assisted renters make progress toward self-sufficiency.
  
  
• Strengthen Communities through improving economic conditions in distressed communities, making communities more livable, ending chronic homelessness, and mitigating housing conditions that threaten health.
  
  
• Ensure Equal Opportunity in Housing by resolving discrimination complaints on a timely basis, promoting public awareness of Fair Housing laws, and improving housing accessibility for persons with disabilities.
  
  
• Promote Participation of Faith-Based and Community Organizations by providing full and equal access to grassroots faith-based and other community-based organizations.
  
  
• Embrace High Standards of Ethics, Management and Accountability by rebuilding HUD's human capital and further diversify its work force, improving accountability, service delivery, and customer service of HUD and its partners, and ensuring program compliance.

HUD has many programs that assist in meeting the eight strategic goals. Among these programs are: (1) Office of Fair housing and Equal Opportunity; (2) Office of Community Planning and Development; (3) Office of Housing; and (4) Office of Public and Indian Housing. These four programs administer much of the approximately $30 billion that is provided directly to State and local governments, Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), profit and non-profit organizations to implement critical housing and community development programs and activities. HUD wants to ensure that the programs and activities made possible through these resources are made available to the LEP population. Therefore, this Implementation Plan focuses on providing equal opportunity to persons with LEP.