Fair Housing Funding Cuts Open Door to Discrimination, Advocates Say

Federal cuts to grants for fair housing advocacy organizations could lead to ‘widespread’ housing discrimination as enforcement resources are reduced.

1 minute read

March 12, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Woman speaks at lectern in front of banner celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act in 2018.

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from USA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

Cuts to federal funding for fair housing organizations could result in ‘widespread discrimination,’ according to experts from the affordable housing sector. These organizations file complaints on behalf of tenants who face discrimination, an article from Capital & Main published in Fast Company explains.

“Housing discrimination is illegal under the landmark Fair Housing Act of 1968. But the law has no teeth if advocates don’t have the resources to enforce it,” said Caroline Peattie, executive director of Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California. “The budget cuts send a message, said Jasmine Perry, a home health aide in the San Francisco Bay Area, who was denied housing and filed a discrimination complaint through Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California nearly two years ago.”

The cuts could imperil scarce resources and force some groups to shut down altogether. The canceled grants amount to roughly $12.1 million — less than half of one percent of HUD’s total annual budget. HUD did not respond to questions about how the canceled grant programs violate executive orders.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in Fast Company

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

5 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

7 hours ago - Next City