National Fair Housing Alliance Statement Following President Biden’s State of the Union Address
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2022
Contact: nfha@skdknick.com
National Fair Housing Alliance Statement Following President Biden’s State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. – In response to President Biden’s State of the Union Address, Lisa Rice, CEO, National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) issued the following statement:
“Against the backdrop of global conflict, as our hearts and minds are with the people of Ukraine and its allies, NFHA joins President Biden in reflecting on the significant progress we have made domestically on the journey to building equity, including the naming of eminently qualified nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. These institutions are unquestionably important to alleviating our nation’s affordable housing crisis, closing racial homeownership gaps, keeping inflation in check, and ensuring the ongoing recovery from COVID-19 provides solutions for the communities hardest hit. The Senate must act without delay to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, HUD, and the federal financial regulatory nominees.
“As President Biden said, the historic nomination of Judge Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court, along with historic nominees to the Federal Reserve Board and FHFA, represent a watershed moment for the country as we work to invest in innovative, equity-based policies that can build prosperity for everyone. We need to expand homeownership opportunities for Black, Latino, AAPI, and Native families – communities left behind by generations of prior housing policies. The President and Congress must work to close persistent racial homeownership and wealth gaps by pursuing robust First Generation Downpayment Assistance, making landmark investments in local fair housing enforcement to protect housing opportunity, and through community revitalization provided in the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.
“Americans across the political spectrum believe everyone deserves to live in safe and stable housing and the life opportunities it provides. The Biden administration and Congress must continue to advance policies that make communities stronger, the economy more equitable, and reduce the impacts of inequality. Members of Congress must come together to pass key legislation like the House passed Build Back Better Act that expands access to homeownership, justice for victims of discrimination and communities that have faced disinvestment, and confirm the highly qualified nominees for federal posts who will be responsible for implementation of the policies and programs to fortify our nation.”
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The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) is the country’s only national civil rights organization dedicated solely to eliminating all forms of housing and lending discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for all people. As the trade association for over 170 fair housing and justice-centered organizations throughout the U.S. and its territories, NFHA works to dismantle longstanding barriers to equity and build diverse, inclusive, well-resourced communities.