Figuring Out How to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing

Things have changed dramatically at HUD, but there is still a long way to go. I am reminded of someone who is slowly rebuilding a car and turns the engine over for the first time – it’s a milestone, but there’s much work to be done before you can cruise around in a sweet ride.

Take, for example, adopting regulations to clearly define and expand what it means to “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH). A requirement of recipients of federal housing dollars (and a few others), this executive order mandates that programs and plans aren’t just neutral when it comes to segregation and fair housing but rather actively advance opportunity and integration. At the end of the Clinton administration draft rules were circulated and public comments were received, but this work was abandoned under Bush. Much to their credit, the new administration at HUD has moved quickly to rectify their 8-year absence on the topic.