For Immediate Release
07/24/2020
Contact: David Card
202.408.9514 x122
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) condemns the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) decision to terminate the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule through implementation of a new rule.
This new rule threatens the country’s progress toward inclusive housing in the community and protecting the rights guaranteed under the Fair Housing Act. NDRN rejects HUD’s regulatory assault which jeopardizes fair housing, promoting fair housing choice, and fostering inclusive communities that are free from discrimination.
“Make no mistake, while we categorically and unequivocally reject HUD’s decision to essentially gut the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule, we are especially concerned by HUD’s decision to proceed with this regulation in the midst of a global pandemic with no end in sight,” said NDRN Executive Director Curt Decker. “This new rule does not meaningfully take into consideration the needs of people with disabilities who are often at increased risk of ending up in segregated facilities in the absence of accessible housing.”
The Fair Housing Act requires affirmatively furthering fair housing and this new rule not only lacks any real standards to ensure that this takes place, HUD has provided no opportunity for the public to weigh in on this new rule. NDRN has long advocated for community integration so that individuals with disabilities are able to access housing and services in the most integrated setting appropriate for their individual needs. This rule as written is antithetical to integration mandates and leaves people with disabilities out of fair housing planning.
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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the P&A/CAP Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
