Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing means creating ways to expand inclusion and diversify communities
The rules Jurisdictions which receive Federal Funding (HOME, CDBG) have a duty to affirmatively further fair housing
Typical problems
Residency rules that disfavor protected classes from applying for programs
Zoning codes that disfavor development of affordable housing that would serve a protected class
Selective enforcement (Lakewood police)
NIMBY actions by local governments
The tools inclusionary zoning
Examples to avoid PHA residency requirements
Justice and HUD settle with Joliet
This is
an important case in the area of affirmatively furthering fair
housing. Thanks to Joyce for sharing. HUD and City of Joliet settle
discrimination claims. "The agreement, which was approved today
by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois,
resolves the claims of the United States in two lawsuits in which the
government contended that the city had discriminated against African
Americans in violation of the Fair Housing Act when it attempted to
condemn a federally subsidized affordable housing development. The
development, known as Evergreen Terrace, contains 356 units of
affordable housing that are currently operated by a private owner
pursuant to a 20-year contract with HUD. The agreement ensures that,
if the city acquires the property through condemnation or otherwise,
any displaced resident will be able to remain in affordable housing
in Joliet, and at least 115 low-income housing units will continue to
be available for families at the property or, subject to HUD
approval, elsewhere in Joliet." Read about it
Pretty
scary in the suburbs of Cleveland...
On November 3, 2013, The
Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on efforts by the First Suburbs Consortium to get access to the list of all tenants who are supported
by Emerald Development & Econonic Network (EDEN) and living in
the Inner ring suburbs of Cleveland. EDEN program participants
typically have a disability or have some experience with
homelessness. There is no good reason for the suburbs to collect
this information. Both HUD and the County have said that EDEN should
not give over these names. “It will only make it more difficult to
convince landlords to accept vouchers from EDEN if they have to deal
with government and potentially neighbors raising objections,”
according to Brian Davis of the Northeast Ohio Coalition on theHomeless (NEOCH).
The NEOCH organization urges rental rights and
homeless advocates to sign up in opposition to this policy on
Change.org. Brian says: “Please join this campaign. Housing
advocates all need to stand with EDEN and the tenants of EDEN in
opposition to this invasion of privacy by the suburban communities.”
RHINO wonders if the First Suburbs didn't understand the implications
of the Court of Appeals decision in the Lakewood Harassment case. Is it a coincidence that
the City of Lakewood is a member of the First Suburbs Consortium? Maybe HUD should be thinking about an investigation of the city's obligation to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing?
