A group of 28 progressive Democrats is calling on the Biden administration to swiftly finalize a crucial HUD rule aimed at ensuring equitable access to affordable housing for people of color, POLITICO writes.
Led by Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Pramila Jayapal, the lawmakers emphasize the urgency of implementing the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which has languished in regulatory limbo for over a year. They stress that without the AFFH rule, the Fair Housing Act’s mandate to prevent discrimination and promote fair housing remains unfulfilled, even decades after its enactment.
The AFFH rule seeks to address disparities in housing access by requiring HUD and its funding recipients to actively combat discrimination and rectify past discriminatory practices. Originally drafted during the Obama administration, the rule was repealed under Trump, citing concerns of federal overreach. The Biden administration has since proposed a revised version aligning with the Obama-era policy.
Democrats express concerns that delay in finalizing the AFFH rule could jeopardize its implementation and leave it vulnerable to rollback by future administrations. They underscore the urgent need to enforce fair housing laws and dismantle discriminatory barriers that hinder access to quality and affordable housing, particularly for renters facing systemic inequalities.
The Biden administration faces mounting pressure from Democrats to prioritize affordable housing initiatives and ensure equitable housing opportunities for marginalized communities.
