National Fair Housing Alliance Applauds Confirmation of Marcia L. Fudge to Head U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2021
Contact: Izzy Woodruff | 202-898-1661 | IWoodruff@nationalfairhousing.org
National Fair Housing Alliance Applauds Confirmation of Marcia L. Fudge to Head U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, D.C. — Today, Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), issued the following statement on the Senate’s confirmation of Rep. Marcia L. Fudge to head the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
“NFHA extends its sincerest congratulations to Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. We look forward to working with Secretary Fudge to reinstate the 2013 Disparate Impact rule, reinstate the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, strengthen fair housing protections, expand access to affordable housing, address the racial homeownership gap, provide rental assistance to those at risk of eviction, and more.
“The Biden Administration made a great pick in placing a public servant who is a staunch advocate for civil rights with a demonstrated commitment to fair housing in charge of HUD. We are pleased that the Senate recognized this by confirming Marcia Fudge.
“With over 4 million instances of housing discrimination occurring each year, increases in fair housing discrimination complaints, and coming off the heels of 4 years of unprecedented attacks on fair housing, it is imperative that we have a strong, bold, visionary leader at HUD’s helm.
“We continue to be encouraged by the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to make progress towards fair and equitable housing for all Americans. These actions include signing an executive order on day one to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government and taking multiple other executive actions to address housing discrimination, private prisons, tribal governments, and more. It is promising to see that the administration intends to keep these critical issues at the top of their agenda.
“Housing segregation remains the primary driver of inequality in the U.S., where neighborhoods of color are less likely to have well-resourced schools, living wage jobs, healthcare facilities, full-service groceries, fitness centers, green spaces, and bank branches, but more likely to have hazardous and toxic facilities, and polluted land, air, and water. We are glad that Secretary Fudge and the Biden-Harris Administration understand these structural barriers to housing equity and intend to be partners in implementing fair housing priorities that ensure everyone has access to decent, affordable housing in healthy, vibrant, well-resourced communities free from discrimination.”
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Founded in 1988, the National Fair Housing Alliance 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.