The Trump administration made a significant move by revoking a Biden-era fair housing proposed rule that aimed to address segregation patterns in communities to receive federal funds.
In 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, a revised version of an Obama-era rule that had been scrapped by President Trump in 2020, as a measure against housing discrimination.
Impact of the Rule
The Biden White House did not finalize the rule, causing disappointment among fair housing advocates and some Democrats in Congress, partly due to campaign considerations. During the 2020 campaign, Trump had politicized the earlier version of the rule, claiming that Democrats aimed to "abolish the suburbs."
If the 2021 rule had been finalized, HUD would have needed to engage in a formal notice-and-comment rulemaking process for any revisions or repeal, which is time-consuming. However, the Biden administration withdrew the proposal in January, replacing it with an interim final rule.
Local Empowerment
HUD Secretary Scott Turner emphasized the importance of local decision-making, stating, "Local and state governments understand the needs of their communities much better than bureaucrats in Washington DC." The termination of the rule is seen as a step towards restoring trust in local communities and property owners, while preserving the integrity of America's suburbs and neighborhoods.
Under the new approach, localities can self-certify their compliance with the Fair Housing Act of 1968, streamlining the process and alleviating the burden on local budgets.
Future Implications
This shift aligns with the Trump administration's broader agenda to eliminate "diversity, equity, and inclusion" programs across federal agencies. The disparity in homeownership rates between white and Black Americans, which has widened since 1960, remains a significant concern.
With 74% of white Americans owning homes compared to only 46% of Black Americans, the housing gap underscores ongoing challenges in achieving fair housing practices.
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