Rules protecting minorities' access to housing have been strengthened under the Obama administration. That progress could be lost under a HUD Secretary who opposes Fair Housing altogether.

Fair-housing rules will soon be in the hands of a developer who discriminated against black tenants—President-elect Trump—an anxious CityLab piece by Kriston Capps notes.
Some of Trump’s reported contenders for HUD Secretary are firmly opposed to policies that aim to expand access to good housing in a field historically stacked against people of color and the working class. Kriston Capps notes especially Robert Astorino, who has in some ways built a career out of attacking housing rules. Retired neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson, who in 2015 called fair housing a "noose," has this week been confirmed as Trump's pick for the position.
In a Housing Department governed by these beliefs, recent policy changes meant to strengthen what has until now been weak federal anti-discrimination housing policy could be targeted for revision or even repeal.
The first is Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing—already a target of conservative pushback—which requires cities to assess their own low-income housing practices and compliance with the Fair Housing Act before qualifying for federal housing funds.
Aspects of AFFH have yet to be implemented: the Assessment of Fair Housing tool for state governments, for example, will not receive final approval by the Office of Management and Budget before January 20. If AFFH is to succeed, President-elect Trump will have to finish what President Obama started.
The second is a Supreme Court decision affirming that "disparate impact" of housing policies on different racial groups is a form of discrimination prohibited by the Fair Housing Act, regardless of whether it is an explicit goal.
Trump's pick could undermine this policy even if the Supreme Court doesn't actually overturn its decision—by simply not enforcing it. "The U.S. Department of Justice will be as pivotal to protecting fair-housing standards as HUD," Capps notes.
FULL STORY: What's at Stake in Trump's Pick to Lead HUD

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

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

DOT Officially Cancels California High-Speed Rail Funding
The Trump administration has repeatedly taken aim at the LA-to-Bay Area rail project, blaming Democratic leaders for cost overruns and delays.

Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software
In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.

DOT Awards 77% of BUILD Grants to Road Projects
Trump’s DOT is directing 87 percent of total grant dollars to states that backed the President in the last election.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie