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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, issued the following statement Friday regarding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) decision to postpone the implementation of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule until October 2020.

“Once again, this administration is taking action that makes clear its grave hostility to protecting the rights of vulnerable Americans by suspending a critical rule that has helped promote fair housing across the country.  Secretary Carson has all but abdicated his duty to affirmatively further fair housing.  The suspension of the rule will bring to a grinding halt the very proactive steps that many jurisdictions have been taking to promote integrated communities and will result in the perpetuation of segregation.

“This latest action must be viewed alongside other actions taken by HUD to abandon efforts to promote fair housing across the country.  We successfully sued HUD to force the implementation of the Small Area Fair Market Rent rule that was designed to increase low-income families’ access to opportunity and housing choice.  The Fair Housing Act was passed 50 years ago following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King and the AFFH rule seeks to ensure that the goals of the Act are carried forward today.  We will not let this latest action by Secretary Carson stand without a fight.”

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law recently sued HUD for suspending a separate rule aimed at assisting low-income families in securing affordable housing in higher-opportunity areas.  A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against HUD in the lawsuit, brought by a coalition of civil rights organizations.

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