NLIHC joined a broad and diverse group of leading civil rights, fair housing, affordable housing, and public health advocates in a press statement opposing certain amendments included in the appropriations bill presently moving through the U.S. Senate. The amendments to the “Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024” (H.R.4366) would prevent HUD from complying with its legal requirement to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). The Biden administration’s proposed AFFH rule, published in the Federal Register earlier this year (see Memo 5/1), could still be finalized even if the amendments are included in the bill, but HUD’s oversight and technical assistance could be stalled if Congress prohibits HUD from using any funds in the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill for AFFH implementation.
“We urge Senators to oppose any amendments that would prohibit funding for implementation of HUD’s proposed ‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing’ (AFFH) rule,” the statement reads. “Implementation of the AFFH rule will help ensure that HUD grantees have the guidance, data, and tools necessary to empower communities to shape their own cost-effective strategies to affirmatively further fair housing – including future investments in housing, transportation, infrastructure, and economic development that can make any community thrive.”
The statement also cites the longstanding history of fair housing as a reason why Congress must continue to fund AFFH implementation: “When Congress passed the Fair Housing Act fifty-five years ago, it charged HUD and other federal agencies with the duty to affirmatively further fair housing. The AFFH mandate is one of our strongest tools to address today’s housing challenges. We urge Senators to vote ‘no’ on any amendments that would prevent HUD from implementing its proposed AFFH rule.”
Read the press statement at: https://tinyurl.com/4nvjjjw6