The National Fair Housing Alliance Expresses Profound Disappointment with Initial Executive Orders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 21, 2025
The National Fair Housing Alliance Expresses Profound
Disappointment with Initial Executive Orders
Washington, D.C.– Following the release of the new Trump administration’s initial Executive Orders, the National Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA™) released the following statement from Nikitra Bailey, Executive Vice President of NFHA:
“America’s diversity is its strength, and we are profoundly disappointed that the Trump administration’s first Executive Orders reverse course on ensuring all people can fairly access opportunity in our nation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion opens the door for opportunity and support for people who have traditionally had less access; rather, than determining who is hired. Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives create a sense of belonging where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas, allowing everyone to reach their full potential and giving them a fair chance to reach the American Dream of stable, fair, and affordable housing for all. Threatening the independent expertise of civil servants with claims of ‘insubordination’ will not make us safer. Dedicated public servants are critical to a well-functioning government and ensuring constituents in local communities have their needs addressed. Rolling back established protections for vulnerable communities and initiatives that promote equitable opportunities and thriving communities will create economic instability, disrupt families, and deprive industries of needed workers. Instead, voters want solutions to skyrocketing housing costs, groceries, and other essentials. They are uninterested in actions that are designed to divide us and create problems where there are not any.
“In the coming months, we at the National Fair Housing Alliance plan to forge ahead with our priorities to address the nation’s fair and affordable housing crisis, open the doors to individual advancement, and enhance our collective prosperity. Everyday people cannot wait any longer for real-world solutions to achieving the American Dream.”
In addition, Dr. Michael Akinwumi, NFHA’s Chief AI Officer, released the following statement:
“The new administration’s recission of Executive Orders intended to keep AI systems safe, secure and trustworthy are very troubling. The AI Executive Orders represented the best of government as industry, advocates, and civil servants dedicated thousands of hours to the thoughtful construction of a framework to protect consumers and communities.
“Nevertheless, to ensure that AI systems and tomorrow’s innovations in housing promote inclusivity and equity while avoiding discrimination and segregation, NFHA will continue its efforts to align AI systems with civil and human rights values for all communities, support the responsible collection and use of demographic data, and ensuring equitable access to housing and lending opportunities driven by automated systems.”
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 community development, education and outreach, responsible AI, member services, public policy and advocacy, consulting and compliance, and enforcement initiatives, NFHA works to dismantle longstanding discriminatory barriers and build inclusive, resilient, well-resourced communities where everyone can thrive.