Statement from Civil Rights Organizations on New York State’s Motion to Intervene in Fair Housing Case Against HUD
Media Contacts: Jessica Aiwuyor, NFHA, (202)898-1661, jaiwuyor@nationalfairhousing.org
Statement from Civil Rights Organizations on New York State’s Motion to Intervene in Fair Housing Case Against HUD
We are pleased that the State of New York recognizes the importance of HUD’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule and that it is standing up for their many cities, towns, counties, and public housing authorities that would have, had the Rule been in effect, developed plans to ensure that everyone in the state has fair housing opportunities.
AFFH is an important tool for making sure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing in strong, viable neighborhoods. It helps combat growing inequality that is resulting in an increasing number of Americans paying more than 50% of their income on rent and ongoing racial segregation, historically created largely through government practices. AFFH also helps to ensure that no community is left behind. The AFFH Rule enables jurisdictions to address issues like housing discrimination, lack of housing affordability, the lack of accessible housing for persons with disabilities, inadequate infrastructure and water services, policies that discriminate against domestic violence survivors, and much more.
While HUD delays implementing the AFFH Rule, millions of people continue to suffer from various forms of housing discrimination and inequality, including inadequate living conditions and environmental injustices. The AFFH Rule puts in place measurements to improve and strengthen neighborhoods, provide broader housing choice, and holds local governments accountable.
Local governments should not be allowed to spend billions of federal aid without any accountability for how those dollars are spent and how their actions affect their residents. The AFFH Rule should be fully restored immediately. There is no reason to delay implementing a rule that provides a framework to make all neighborhoods safe and healthy places of opportunity.
View our press release on HUD’s suspension of AFFH:
Co-plaintiffs
National Fair Housing Alliance
Texas Appleseed
Texas Housers / Texas Low Income Housing Information Service
Co-counsel
American Civil Liberties Union
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Relman, Dane, and Colfax
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Poverty & Race Research Action Council
Public Citizen