The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded almost $900,000 in grants to four local housing groups.

The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston received a total of $374,750; the Housing Discrimination Project was awarded $275,000 and Legal Assistance Corp. of Central Massachusetts was given $237,933.

HUD awarded $26.3 million to 98 fair housing organizations and other non-profit agencies in 37 states and the District of Columbia to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

The grants are funded through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and work to promote equal housing opportunities.

"In 2010, the fight for fair housing across America continues. The organizations we are funding are respected and trusted groups that emerged from a very competitive process," said John Trasvina, HUD’s assistant secretary for fair housing & equal opportunity. "They will help HUD enforce the law and educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law."