HUD terminates Obama-Biden housing rule that Trump said ‘destroys’ home values
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made a significant change by eliminating federal regulations implemented during the Obama administration. HUD Secretary Scott Turner has criticized these regulations for imposing “extreme and restrictive demands” on local housing developers.
President Donald Trump initially rescinded the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which was created under former President Barack Obama. Trump argued that the rule aimed to eliminate single-family zoning and devalue houses for the benefit of “far-left Washington bureaucrats.” However, President Joe Biden later attempted to reinstate the rule but ultimately withdrew due to concerns about potential political backlash.
On Wednesday, HUD announced its own rulemaking to eliminate the Obama-era AFFH rule. This rule mandated that localities conduct extensive analyses to ensure that new housing developments do not worsen disparities among federally protected groups, particularly in terms of access to public transportation, schools, hospitals, and parks.
During a conference call discussing the termination of the AFFH rule, a HUD official clarified that discrimination prohibited under the Fair Housing Act of 1968 would still be illegal. However, under the new change, localities will have the authority to self-certify that their new developments comply with anti-discrimination laws established under the 1968 Fair Housing Act.
Secretary Turner emphasized that by removing this regulation, localities will no longer be burdened with excessive paperwork and financial strain to meet the federal government’s demands. He believes that this change will enable the federal government to better assist rural, urban, and tribal communities in need of fair and affordable housing options.
Research conducted by the Cato Institute revealed that the AFFH rule, as implemented during the Obama administration, cost taxpayers up to $55 million annually to gather the certification information required by the regulation. This move by HUD is expected to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary financial burdens on local housing developers.
Overall, the elimination of the AFFH rule signifies a shift in federal housing policy towards empowering localities to make decisions that best suit their communities. This change aims to promote fair and affordable housing options while reducing bureaucratic barriers that hinder housing development.
