Protect and Strengthen Enforcement of the Fair Housing Act

I support the full enforcement of the Fair Housing Act and call on Congress to restore HUD staffing, issue mandatory enforcement guidance, strengthen penalties for housing discrimination, and require comprehensive data reporting. Fair housing is a civil‑rights imperative that must be protected for every American. The Fair Housing Act (FHA)  is a cornerstone civil‑rights law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Under the current administration, HUD staffing for fair‑housing investigations has fallen by more than 70 %, and the number of discrimination complaints filed has dropped from an average of 35 per year to fewer than five. Biased appraisals and discriminatory rental practices systematically strip Black and other minority households of wealth, contributing to an estimated $162 billion in unrealized equity. Housing segregation shapes where people can vote, work, attend school, access health care, and enjoy safe, clean environments. Weakening the FHA deepens inequality across every facet of American life. Congress must: Fully fund and staff HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to its pre‑rollback levels, ensuring timely investigations and enforcement actions. Issue clear guidance that all HUD field offices must prioritize FHA complaints, including those involving “tenuous” theories such as discriminatory appraisals. Introduce legislation that strengthens penalties for repeat violators and expands private‑right‑of‑action provisions, allowing individuals to bring suits more easily. Support a national data‑collection mandate to track housing‑discrimination trends, enabling Congress to monitor progress and intervene when necessary. The Fair Housing Act has protected millions of families for more than half a century. Restoring its full power is essential to preserving equal opportunity, fostering integrated communities, and upholding the promise of the American Dream for all citizens. Your leadership on this issue will demonstrate a steadfast dedication to civil rights and to the well‑being of every resident of our district. Thank you for your attention and for championing fair, inclusive housing for all.