HUD Announces Key Fair Housing Updates
The Big Picture
To align with President Trump’s housing and deregulation priorities across the federal government, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced three significant changes to how the agency will enforce fair housing laws and allocate its resources for fair housing investigations and complaints moving forward. Importantly, these developments impact how housing providers defend against disparate impact claims, evaluate renters’ criminal history in the screening process and assess renter requests for service and emotional support animals.
- Disparate Impact
- Criminal Screening
- Service and Emotional Support Animals
What Does This Mean for My Business?
These are promising developments for the rental housing industry as they point to a clearer direction for housing providers to understand their federal compliance responsibilities. NAA members should remember that these announcements do not impact private rights of action or state and local fair housing enforcement. NAA stands ready to assist its members with operational resources and is working to update its training and education to reflect any new fair housing obligations.
NAA appreciates HUD’s swift action on these issues, which align with our advocacy objectives of bolstering the nation’s housing supply, lowering costs and protecting the long-term viability of rental housing. NAA will continue to work with the Trump Administration on responsible and sustainable housing policies, including equal housing opportunity for all.