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JULY 27, 2015: The Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society applauds the Obama Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) ongoing efforts in dismantling segregation in communities nationwide. Through a new rule published on July 16, HUD will revise conditions the agency considers when determining where to distribute funding.  The purpose of the new tool is to better achieve a central goal of the Fair Housing Act, which requires HUD funding recipients to “affirmatively further fair housing.” 

 As described by HUD Secretary, Julián Castro, “affirmatively furthering fair housing” means guaranteeing residents access to quality, affordable housing options in communities “rich with opportunity.”[1] The Fair Housing Act, passed nearly five decades ago, intended not only to eliminate housing discrimination, but also promised to hold state and local governments accountable for achieving more meaningful outcomes[2] for all Americans, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status.

With the new initiative in place, HUD will support local jurisdictions and grant recipients with national data regarding housing segregation and inequality.  The grantees will be required to accumulate local data on whether segregated, unequal housing patterns exist in their jurisdictions and then must report the methods being instituted to integrate housing and fairly distribute fair housing to all residents.  This new regulation signals a rejuvenated commitment from HUD to work more closely with grantees in issuing this formal tool for communities that receive HUD funding to anticipate how the agency will evaluate their efforts.

Some critics are concerned the new federal rule will intrude upon local communities. However we believe this advancement will assist HUD in unwinding the effects of discriminatory policies from the past.  As thoroughly described in the amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court by the Haas Institute and the Economic Policy Institute in the recent Texas v. Inclusive Communities Project case, federal, state and local policies greatly contributed to both the creation and perpetuation of racially isolated neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty.

 The new rule draws from methodology that assists in the evaluation of fair housing conditions: known as “opportunity mapping” the methodology was pioneered by Haas Institute Director john a. powell.  By displaying of data illustrating access to employment, health services, education, transportation, and numerous other factors, opportunity maps are able to illuminate which areas are so encumbered by poor educational access and limited public services that economic upward mobility for residents becomes an unlikely, if not unachievable, outcome.  Opportunity mapping has been a highly effective tool for guiding public and private investments and citing low-income housing in a manner that satisfies the obligations of the Fair Housing Act. 

 The Haas Institute firmly believes that all individuals have an equal right to live, learn, and work in an inclusive environment.  Residents in diverse neighborhoods experience increased benefits and success, When access to quality educational and employment opportunities is more equitably distributed, the talents of all residents can be utilized for investment in communities and the overall culture.

 Following implementation of HUD’s new tool for meeting the “affirmatively furthering fair housing” standard, the Haas Institute looks forward to positive changes in housing policies across the nation and the realization of equal opportunity, as was originally envisioned at the initial 1968 passing of the Fair Housing Act.  

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MEDIA CONTACT

Rachelle Galloway-Popotas
galloway.popotas@berkeley.edu
Tel: 510-642-3326

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Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Societyat UC Berkeley is a research institute bringing together scholars, community stakeholders, policymakers, and communicators to identify and challenge the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society in order to create transformative change.