Statement of the National Fair Housing Alliance on the Election of Joseph R. Biden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2020
Contact: Izzy Woodruff | 202-898-1661 | IWoodruff@nationalfairhousing.org
Statement of the National Fair Housing Alliance on the Election of Joseph R. Biden
Washington, D.C. — Today, Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), released the following statement on the election of Joseph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris.
“NFHA extends its congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. NFHA looks forward to working with the new administration to develop and implement an agenda centered around fair housing and equity, an agenda that will eliminate discrimination from our housing and financial markets, dismantle segregation, and take affirmative steps to redress the harms they have caused.
“Today, a patient democracy prevailed as dedicated officials took care to count every ballot, even in the face of vitriol and challenge. The people have spoken, and NFHA celebrates the many who, despite efforts to disenfranchise them, fought hard in their communities to ensure this country would have leadership that moves us forward. NFHA will work with the new presidential administration and Congress to advance justice and equity in our nation and to ensure that every community can bounce back stronger from the COVID-19 health pandemic and economic crisis.
“NFHA has worked tirelessly throughout the years to protect the fair housing rights of all people. We welcome the opportunity to work with our country’s new leadership to implement fair housing priorities that ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing in healthy, vibrant, well-resourced communities free from discrimination.
“NFHA’s top fair housing priorities include reinstating HUD’s 2013 Disparate Impact rule; reinstating HUD’s 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule; converting HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program into an entitlement program that consistently provides adequate funds to Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations; appointing a HUD Secretary and staff with demonstrated extensive experience in, and commitment to, fair housing and racial equity; increasing staff at HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; restoring enforcement powers to the CFPB’s Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity; supporting legislation to ensure a quicker and more equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; advancing legislation to expand the U.S.’s affordable housing stock; equipping federal regulatory and enforcement agencies to address algorithmic bias; and rescinding Executive Order No. 13950, which prohibits federal agencies, contractors, and grant recipients from offering trainings to eliminate bias and racism.
“These actions will set our nation on a path to ensuring equity and prosperity for all, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, family status, disability, or religion.”
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About The National Fair Housing Alliance
Founded in 1988, NFHA is a consortium of more than 200 private, nonprofit fair housing organizations and state and local civil rights agencies from throughout the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NFHA works to eliminate housing discrimination and ensure equal housing opportunity for all people through leadership, education, outreach, membership services, public policy initiatives, community development, advocacy, and enforcement. Visit nationalfairhousing.org to learn more.