A coalition of 28 House Democrats has urged the Biden administration to promptly enact the policy proposed by the Housing Department a year ago. The policy pertains to the obligation of communities to “affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH),” a crucial component of a Civil Rights-era law. In a letter dated May 10 addressed to President Joe Biden, the Democrats called for the immediate issuance of the AFFH rule that was put forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) over a year ago.
The proposed AFFH rule aims to address gaps in the enforcement of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which aims to combat historic patterns of segregation and discrimination in the housing market. The law prohibits discrimination in housing sales and rentals and mandates federal programs to further the goal of fair housing. The Democrats, led by Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Pramila Jayapal, highlighted the impact of discrimination and inequities in housing, stressing the need for the AFFH rule to be implemented to realize the promises of the Fair Housing Act.
The Obama administration previously introduced a rule in 2015 to strengthen the AFFH mandate, acknowledging the shortcomings of HUD’s efforts over the past decades. However, the Trump administration rescinded the Obama-era rule in 2020, citing concerns about federal overreach and potential negative impacts on local communities. The Biden administration later issued an interim AFFH rule in 2021, similar to its predecessor but with modifications regarding reporting requirements for local governments.
The latest version of the rule emphasizes the development of “equity plans” by HUD grantees to enhance fair housing choice in their communities. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge emphasized the importance of the proposed rule in addressing segregation, disinvestment, and discrimination in housing markets. However, critics have raised concerns about HUD’s focus on socioeconomic diversity in communities, questioning whether it truly addresses housing affordability and access.
In conclusion, the call for the implementation of the AFFH rule underscores the ongoing challenges related to fair and affordable housing in the United States. The proposed rule aims to promote fair housing practices and combat discrimination, but debates continue regarding its potential impact on housing policies and community dynamics. Please rewrite the following sentence for me.
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