Civil Rights Coalition Applauds Historic Westchester Fair Housing Settlement

“The roots of residential segregation in our nation run deep, particularly for working class racial minorities struggling to overcome economic and discriminatory barriers that limit their ability to live in neighborhoods of their choosing.

Such an insidious problem demands a robust and proactive response.  That’s why the Fair Housing Act requires local governments that receive federal block grants to take affirmative steps to advance fair housing.

Today, we in the civil rights community resoundingly applaud the historic settlement involving Westchester County, New York. The settlement recognizes the county’s obligation to create new affordable housing units in areas where minorities are currently underrepresented, and to develop plans to continue the integration process in the future. 

We salute the work of Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing John Trasvina, and the Department of Justice for taking the necessary steps to enforce our fair housing laws for the benefit of all citizens. We would like to thank Westchester County for recognizing the importance of this issue and agreeing to address the stark patterns of residential segregation within its borders.  The Anti-Discrimination Center also played an indispensible role in this process by initiating the lawsuit. 

This historic settlement is only a first step in grappling with a persistent nationwide problem; but we know, with the strong leadership currently at HUD, we can expect more groundbreaking developments that will move us ever closer to a truly integrated society.”