We Will Forge Ahead to Protect Fair Housing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2024

Contact Janelle Brevard, jbrevard@nationalfairhousing.org

We Will Forge Ahead to Protect Fair Housing

National Fair Housing Alliance Issues Statement On 2024 Elections

Washington, D.C. –Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance® (NFHA™) released the following statement on the results of the 2024 election.

“Where you live matters and affects every facet of your life, including a child’s ability to attend a well-equipped, high-performing school; breathe clean air; drink unpolluted water; receive quality health care; eat healthy foods; access quality credit and insurance; live a long life, and so much more. Place is inextricably linked to opportunity and our nation’s fair housing and lending laws have created equitable opportunities for people of color, women, persons with disabilities, families with children, people of faith, LGBTQ+, and more.

During his first administration, President-elect Trump took significant steps backward in the fight for fair housing and fair lending, undermining critical protections that promote equality, opportunity, and justice for all Americans. Based on this track record, NFHA and our members are prepared to defend critical fair housing and lending protections. Our mission is vitally important and our commitment to advancing housing equity remains unwavering. We hope the next Administration now better understands how central fair housing opportunities are to the economy’s overall strength and ensuring all people can live and thrive in vibrant communities free of discrimination.

Under former President Trump’s leadership from 2017 to 2021, we witnessed a concerted and harmful effort to dismantle many of the key protections put in place to ensure fair and equal access to housing opportunities. The rollback of important regulations under the Fair Housing Act, the weakening of enforcement efforts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice, and the undermining of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) all contributed to a rising tide of discrimination, exclusion, and inequality in the housing market. The erosion of these protections disproportionately harmed communities of color, women, people with disabilities, and families with children, and others.

Each time the Trump Administration sought to erode vital protections, NFHA and our members led the important work of blocking their actions on behalf of the people of this great nation. We know that when we fight, we win. Justice does prevail. Our intention is to work with the next Administration and Congress to help people access fair and affordable housing and lending opportunities. And NFHA is committed to holding the next Administration and Congress accountable and ensuring that the promise of fair housing for all is upheld. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain steadfast in our mission and priorities. Our focus will continue to be on:

• Creating a Fair and Inclusive Economy Where Everyone Can Thrive: We will carry on our efforts to remove systemic barriers that hinder economic growth and viability in our communities and nation while we advance our work to increase housing security, expand homeownership opportunities, increase wealth and financial health for underserved people, and strengthen our economy.
  

• Improving the Quality of People’s Lives and the Communities Where They Live: We will continue our work to ensure every neighborhood has critical resources like quality healthcare facilities, safe and affordable credit and insurance, well-resourced and high-performing schools, affordable and clean public transportation, living wage jobs, high-speed internet, non-toxic land, air, and water, critical infrastructure, and resilient accessible and affordable housing.
  

• Increasing Access to Fair and Affordable Housing: We will push the new Congress to work to eliminate longstanding barriers to homeownership, including passing the Downpayment Toward Equity Act, which includes $100 billion for first generation homebuyers, and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act with fair housing principles added to prevent displacement, which would add 500,000 additional affordable housing units in underserved communities throughout the country.

• Promoting Racial and Gender Equity: We will push for policies that ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for people of all races, ethnicities, and genders, addressing systemic inequities that persist in housing and lending markets. This means we will be ever diligent to ensure that federal regulators fully enforce the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and Community Reinvestment Act.

• Strengthening Local Fair Lending Enforcement: We will advocate for increased funding and resources so that local and state-based offices and programs have the resources they need to address discriminatory practices in their communities.

• Promoting Fair Lending and Responsible AI: In an era where artificial intelligence and automated systems are playing an increasing role in decision-making, we will work to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and equitably, with safeguards in place to prevent inaccurate, biased, harmful, and fraudulent outcomes.

We hope the new Administration and Congress will prioritize policies that advance fairness, justice, and opportunity. However, we stand ready to confront any efforts to turn back the clock and undermine the progress we have made. The fair housing movement thrives through the strength of our members, supporters, and coalitions. The work to create a housing and finance system that is truly fair for all continues, and we will remain unwavering in our commitment to fight for those who have historically been excluded and discriminated against. They, too, are deserving of the American Dream.”

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.