HUD Seeks Input on AFFH Amendments

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is now seeking public comment on amendments to its Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulations.

 

In a statement issued by the department, HUD stressed that the goal of this endeavor was to “offer more helpful guidance to states and local communities to effectively promote fair housing choice through the use of their federal funds.” HUD added that the public comment input is being designed to “minimize regulatory burden while more effectively aiding program participants to meet their statutory obligations,” while focusing on a process that emphasized “positive results, rather than on analysis.” The department also sought to increase housing choice, including the construction of more housing supply.

 

"HUD believes very deeply in the purposes of the Fair Housing Act and that states, local governments, and public housing authorities further fair housing choice," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "HUD's 2015 rule often dictated unworkable requirements and actually impeded the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing. It's ironic that the current AFFH rule, which was designed to expand affordable housing choices, is actually suffocating investment in some of our most distressed neighborhoods that need our investment the most. We do not have to abandon communities in need. Instead we believe we can craft a new, fairer rule that creates choices for quality housing across all communities."