Proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule Released

On January 19th, HUD announced the release of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH), seeking comments from the public on proposed revisions to the 2015 rule that was issued by the Obama Administration to rectify decades of racist housing policies.

While jurisdictions have been required for years to analyze the impediments to fair housing in their communities, it was only with the passage of the AHHF in 2015 that they were required to conduct a thorough analysis of local fair housing concerns, commit to remedying them through specific action, and undergo HUD review. In 2018, the AHHF was suspended by the Trump Administration. While President Biden immediately reinstated the AHHF upon assuming office, his Administration is now proposing actions that would further strengthen and refine the 2015 rule.

In addition to requiring recipients of HUD funding to set goals and take action, the rule would provide the tools and framework they need to effectively respond and advance fair housing. To review the proposed rule, click here. The rule is pending publication in the Federal Register. Note that comments can only be accepted after the rule has been published, and the public will have a 60-day period to respond. Read HUD’s press release here.