Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds New Fair Housing Act Rule

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) new rule that requires state and local governments and housing authorities seeking HUD funding to consider how to eliminate fair housing barriers for people of color, families with children, and people with disabilities:

“This rule will help our nation move forward on the largely unrealized promise of the Fair Housing Act: that Americans are free to live in the communities of their choice, regardless of their race, family, or disability status. 

At a time of heightened concern across the country over threats to racial justice, as seen in places like Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland, a fully functioning and effective Fair Housing Act is more important than ever.

When Americans are denied equal opportunity to housing, they are denied access to good jobs, quality education, safe streets, accessible transit, and a clean and healthy environment, all of which are critical to leading healthy and prosperous lives.

We applaud Secretary Castro and the Obama administration for taking this affirmative step to ensure fair housing opportunities for all.”

Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.