On October 29, the Clarion Ledger published an op-ed from HOPE’s CEO Bill Bynum in defense of our nation’s fair housing laws. In the op-ed, he notes:
“[B]usinesses thrive when regulations are sound and consistent. Not only has the disparate impact functioned as an enforcement tool for the Fair Housing Act, it has provided clear rules of the road. By gutting a key protection under the Fair Housing Act, the Trump administration will inject cost and uncertainty into the financial system, exactly what lenders, regulators and shareholders seek to avoid… While much progress has occurred, the evidence is clear that continued discrimination in the housing market prevents many from realizing the American dream of owning a home. Until the playing field is leveled, we need every tool available to close the gap. To this end, let us all resolve to keep the Fair Housing Act at full strength.”
To read the op-ed in full:
The op-ed was published in response to a proposal by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to gut critical protections under the Fair Housing Act. To read HOPE’s letter to HUD opposing this proposal, click here.