The National Alliance to End Homelessness stands opposed to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) decision to revoke the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (AFFH rule).
The AFFH rule is a critically important tool for addressing the housing discrimination caused by historical and systemic racism in our cities, towns and communities. It laid out a critical next step in ensuring that localities take meaningful action to address those disparities.
People experiencing homelessness — including people of color and those with disabilities –– routinely encounter discrimination when seeking housing. Not only do they face a critical, nationwide shortage of housing they can afford (including housing that is accessible) but they are discriminated against when they seek to access the housing that is available. Their right to access housing is guaranteed under the Fair Housing Act and must be protected and advanced – not eroded – by our nation’s leaders.
“The rights guaranteed by the Fair Housing Act cannot be achieved passively or through wishful thinking. They require action; action that was laid out in the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule,” said Nan Roman, President & CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “At this time, when the nation faces a historic reckoning over racism and discrimination, it is deeply disturbing that instead of seizing the moment to move forward, this decision will push us backward in the journey to a fair and equitable society. The Alliance encourages communities to remain aligned with the principles of the AFFH rule in the name of fairness, justice, and racial equity.”