National Fair Housing Alliance Calls for Pause on Nominations Process Amid Federal Funding Freeze Uncertainty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2025
National Fair Housing Alliance Calls for Pause on Nominations Process
Amid Federal Funding Freeze Uncertainty
Washington, D.C. — Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA™) released the following statement from President and CEO Lisa Rice regarding the Trump administration’s decision to pause federal funding for critical programs that serve the people of our nation:
“The National Fair Housing Alliance calls for a pause on processing all presidential nominations so the Congress and White House can be laser focused on an immediate and complete withdrawal of the federal funding freeze and the accompanying Executive Orders that attempt to end the government’s efforts to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility for the people of our nation. We also urge the administration to reopen funding portals so grantees and entities can access funding to continue critical services to the public.
Our nation is in the middle of a fair and affordable housing crisis impacting millions. The White House’s unprecedented decision, with less than one day’s notice, to freeze federal grant, loan, and assistance payments including funding for fair housing enforcement and education and outreach programs, is not only illegal, but also designed to create fear, chaos, insecurity, and dysfunction among the most vulnerable in our society. It will bring about serious economic and personal injuries that can undermine our already fragile housing market and our nation.
Housing is fundamental to the American Dream. It is imperative to recognize fair housing is not merely an ideal but a national policy of the United States, established by Congress. A housing market in which all people cannot participate fairly, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, or disability, is a broken market both economically and morally. As Americans seek an end to the barrage of rising housing costs and lack of housing supply, they need increased support and intervention from our federal government, not a withdrawal from basic civil rights under the guise of false assertions about the critical goal of being a nation that fosters diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Protection of fair and affordable housing is essential, not optional. It is also the law. Our nation’s fair housing laws ensure families with children, people with disabilities, people of faith, and all persons—no matter their race, color, or national origin—are not discriminated against when they seek housing or lending opportunities. The reality is the implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs are an important way organizations and governments can help fulfill the purpose and goal of our nation’s anti-discrimination laws.”
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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. Through its homeownership, credit access, tech equity, education, member services, public policy, community development, and enforcement initiatives, NFHA works to dismantle longstanding barriers to equity and build diverse, inclusive, well-resourced communities.