With HUD seeking comments on a revamped version of the Affirmatively Furthering fair Housing Rule, now is a good time to seek lessons from the one state to attempt to implement the federal rule at the state level.
The Biden administration revamped the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule back in January of this year, with the hope of improving upon the model first adopted by the Obama administration in 2015 and eventually scrapped by the Trump administration in 2020. The rule is intended to strengthen the anti-discrimination efforts of the 1968 Fair Housing Act (FHA).
With that goal in mind, Natalie Spievack and Ben Metcalf write an article for the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley that digs into the efforts of California to accomplish many of the same outcomes.
“Despite the break in federal action on AFFH, California has been working to pursue AFFH goals since the 2015 rule was put into place, with a particular focus on creating racially and economically integrated communities,” according to the article. The state’s AFFH efforts have produced clear lessons about what it takes to incentivize affordable housing in “high-opportunity neighborhoods,” how to rezone for fair housing in the housing element processes required by state law, and codifying AFFH at the state level.
More analysis on California’s implementation of AFFH was published and shared by Planetizen in June 2022.
The source article, linked below, also notes that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is seeking comments about the newly revised AFFH rule until April 10.
FULL STORY: Reaffirming the Federal Commitment to Fair Housing: Lessons from California in Implementing AFFH
Trump Administration Proposal Would Eliminate Fair Housing Protections
The Trump administration last week published its latest attempt to undermine a fair housing rule adopted during the Obama administration.
Biden Administration to Reinstate Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, Disparate Impact Rules
The pendulum swings on federal fair housing law.
Trump Administration Launches Long-Promised Challenge to Fair Housing Law
A new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development raises the burden of proof in cases of disparate impact, and provides additional defenses for defendants.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
