Copyright: Mark Van Scyoc
Earlier this month, NMHC/NAA attended a high-level meeting at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to discuss the industry’s fair housing priorities. The apartment industry is committed to equal housing opportunity for all without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status. However, more guidance and clarity are needed from HUD on specific fair housing program areas.
NMHC/NAA highlighted three issues of pressing concern to the industry - emotional support animals, disparate impact liability and resident criminal screening. HUD has been hampered in their efforts to address issues due to a slow appointment process in key agency positions. The roles of Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and General Counsel have recently been filled and NMHC/NAA are hopeful that HUD can now turn its attention to clarifying and addressing the issues specific to fair housing that have had the unintended consequence of negatively impacting the safety and affordability of housing.
