HUD Proposes New Equal Housing Rules
Participation in HUD-sponsored housing programs is supposed to be based on need, and nothing else.
In an effort to ensure that assessment of potential participants is fair, HUD has proposed new regulations for its programs.
HUD made the announcement via a statement that was released earlier this year.
Among the proposed regulation changes are two aimed at protecting people who want to participate in HUD's rental and homeownership programs from being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
One clarifies the definition of "family," and includes those who are in same-sex relationships or families in which a member is involved in a same-sex relationship.
In other words, it protects not only LGBT couples, but also - for example - a family in which a son or daughter is in an LGBT relationship.
The other rule prohibits discrimination by property owners or managers if the property receives HUD assistance or was financed using a HUD program.
Owners and managers may not ask about the sexual orientation of any applicant or an applicant's family member.
In addition, HUD is considering altering its FHA-lending procedures to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The change would specifically mention sexual orientation as a prohibited form of discrimination towards those seeking FHA mortgages.
If the proposed changes are passed, HUD will add the same language to the anti-discrimination clauses in all of its programs, including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
Some programs, like HOME Investment Partnerships and Project-Based Vouchers already use updated language regarding discrimination and the description of "family.
" In 2009, the results of a joint study conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found that - of the 6,000 people surveyed - 11 percent said they were evicted from their homes because of discrimination, and 19 percent said they ended homeless as a result of discrimination.
HUD will soon be conducting its own nationwide study to determine the prevalence of discrimination against members of the LGBT community who attempt to rent or purchase housing.
HUD started researching discrimination in the 1970s, but has focused primarily on race and color.
Though this will be the first-ever national study, some states have conducted their own studies and found that discrimination against members of the LGBT community is a problem, despite its being prohibited by the Fair Housing Act.
HUD's proposed regulation changes can be viewed here.
In an effort to ensure that assessment of potential participants is fair, HUD has proposed new regulations for its programs.
HUD made the announcement via a statement that was released earlier this year.
Among the proposed regulation changes are two aimed at protecting people who want to participate in HUD's rental and homeownership programs from being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
One clarifies the definition of "family," and includes those who are in same-sex relationships or families in which a member is involved in a same-sex relationship.
In other words, it protects not only LGBT couples, but also - for example - a family in which a son or daughter is in an LGBT relationship.
The other rule prohibits discrimination by property owners or managers if the property receives HUD assistance or was financed using a HUD program.
Owners and managers may not ask about the sexual orientation of any applicant or an applicant's family member.
In addition, HUD is considering altering its FHA-lending procedures to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The change would specifically mention sexual orientation as a prohibited form of discrimination towards those seeking FHA mortgages.
If the proposed changes are passed, HUD will add the same language to the anti-discrimination clauses in all of its programs, including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
Some programs, like HOME Investment Partnerships and Project-Based Vouchers already use updated language regarding discrimination and the description of "family.
" In 2009, the results of a joint study conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found that - of the 6,000 people surveyed - 11 percent said they were evicted from their homes because of discrimination, and 19 percent said they ended homeless as a result of discrimination.
HUD will soon be conducting its own nationwide study to determine the prevalence of discrimination against members of the LGBT community who attempt to rent or purchase housing.
HUD started researching discrimination in the 1970s, but has focused primarily on race and color.
Though this will be the first-ever national study, some states have conducted their own studies and found that discrimination against members of the LGBT community is a problem, despite its being prohibited by the Fair Housing Act.
HUD's proposed regulation changes can be viewed here.