HUD kicks off Fair Housing Month

The agency says it aims to stop discrimination against families with children

HUD kicks off Fair Housing Month
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) kicked off last week “National Fair Housing Month,” as the nation marks the 49th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act on April 11.

This year’s theme is “Fair Housing Equals Opportunity.” HUD Secretary Ben Carson has made fair housing a cornerstone of his administration. During a confirmation hearing last January, Carson said he would work with local HUD officials and communities to make sure that fair housing was a priority out through the FHA.

“I think the Fair House Amendment in 1968 was one of the best pieces of legislation that we’ve had. It was modified in 1988. LBJ said nobody could possibly question this; I agree with him,” he said.

HUD and its Fair Housing Assistance Program partner agencies received last year more than 8,000 complaints alleging discrimination.

 “Equal access to housing is a fundamental promise of America,” HUD Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Bryan Greene said last week.  “When access to housing is unfairly limited, it, in turn, limits access to good-paying jobs, quality schools, and economic opportunity.”

HUD said it’s particularly active in addressing discrimination against families with children, as that kind of discrimination accounts for about 12% of complaints filed with HUD each year.

“In addition to the loss of housing, this type of discrimination has a destabilizing effect that prevents families from positioning themselves in ways that enable the next generation to take advantage of all this country has to offer,” the agency said in a statement.

The Trump administration budget proposal for 2018 allocates $40.7bn for HUD, down from $46.9bn in 2017. It seeks a greater role for state and local governments, and for the private sector to address community and economic development needs.