With the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule on the ropes, a legal strategy has emerged to challenge HUD's plan to delay enforcement.
Fair housing advocates received bad news earlier this month when HUD announced that it would suspend enforcement of the Obama administration's Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule. But as Kriston Capps writes, HUD's detractors aren't out of legal options. "This isn't the first time that Carson has tried to postpone an Obama-era housing rule: A similar maneuver was struck down in federal court in December. Housing advocates are now hoping HUD's move on the AFFH final rule will meet a similar fate."
The strategy centers on legal procedure, specifically around HUD's possible violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. Capps writes, "After HUD released a memo back in August pushing a different Obama-era housing rule out to fiscal year 2020, plaintiffs successfully argued that the maneuver violated the APA."
That other rule concerned HUD's allocation of Section 8 housing vouchers. By using "small area fair market rates, or SAFMRs, for calculating rents in individual ZIP codes rather than averaging rents across metro areas," the rule allowed families using vouchers to move to better neighborhoods, previously unaffordable on the program.
FULL STORY: One Way to Fight HUD's Heel-Dragging on Fair Housing
Ben Carson’s Clear Disdain for Fair and Affordable Housing
Carson has spent much of his time as HUD secretary attacking the housing programs, initiatives, and regulations central to the agency’s mission.
Opinion Writers Oppose Trump's Proposed Changes to Fair Housing Laws
A former housing and urban development secretary and a professor of sociology oppose the Trump administration's proposed changes to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule.
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.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions