Last week, the Biden administration released The White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights (Blueprint) and we issued this statement. With the goal of stronger tenant protections, the Blueprint features more than two dozen commitments by federal agencies and suggests five rights that governments at all levels and the private sector should help ensure: Safe, high-quality, accessible and affordable housing; Clear and fair leases; Education, enforcement, and enhancement of renter rights; The right to organize; Eviction prevention, diversion, and relief. Though these principles are not novel, the White House’s recognition of them is noteworthy. Policies that the Blueprint highlights includes just cause, right to... Read More »
Rule Is Major Step in Right Direction to Advance Fair and Affordable Housing and Strengthen Communities (January 20, 2022) Leading civil rights and housing policy organizations issued the following statement applauding HUD for releasing the Proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule: “Today’s action by U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge in releasing an updated Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) proposed rule is an important step toward creating more equitable and affordable housing opportunities and stronger, more viable neighborhoods. Our organizations urged the Biden-Harris administration to prioritize restoring inclusive fair housing rules that were previously weakened or ignored, and that ensure everyone lives in healthy, well-resourced, vibrant... Read More »
Supreme Court Shuts Down Attempts to Revive Cruel Public Charge Rule but the Legal Fight Continues (January 10, 2023) The Supreme Court yesterday declined to review whether Texas and other states can reopen litigation challenging the Trump administration’s 2019 public charge rule. The 2019 rule punished people seeking permanent resident status in the United States if they use—or are deemed likely to use in the future—public supports to meet their family’s basic health, housing and nutrition needs. The Trump administration’s 2019 public charge rule effectively denied millions of immigrant families health care, housing and economic support. An estimated 2.1 million essential workers and household members went without Medicaid and 1.3 million did not receive help through the Supplemental Nutrition... Read More »
Advocates hail Biden Regulation as Major Win for Immigrant Families, Urge Congress to Act (September 9, 2022) A new “public charge” regulation finalized yesterday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adds critical protections to secure immigrant families’ access to the health and social services safety net, including housing. While the final regulation largely restores and improves upon the public charge policy in place for 20 years prior to the Trump administration, it also makes improvements sought by the National Housing Law Project and the hundreds of other organizations coordinated by the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF). Read the full news release from the PIF Coalition and National Housing Law Project. Read More »
Enforcing the CARES Act 30-Day Eviction Notice Requirement memorandum discussing continuing applicability of 30-day notice requirement for certain evictions in properties participating in federal housing programs or with federally-backed financing. Highlights of the new version include: Discussion of the Washington Court of Appeals’ ruling in Sherwood Auburn LLC v. Pinzon, 521 P.3d 212 (Wash. Ct. App. 2022) and other case law developments; Updated information regarding state court rules implementing CARES Act eviction restrictions; Chart summarizing law regarding ripeness of summary eviction lawsuits in every U.S. state and territory (bearing on circumstances under which initiation of summary eviction proceeding before expiration of CARES Act notice is mandatory grounds for dismissal). Read More »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2022 Contact: Foluke Nunn, American Friends Service Committee, fnunn@afsc.org The Millennia Resistance Campaign Demands HUD Hold The Millennia Companies and Other Troubled HUD Owners Accountable for Poor Property Conditions The member organizations that make up the Millennia Resistance Campaign— a group of Millennia tenants, community organizers, lawyers, and other allies from around the country— are going public with their demands for HUD to hold accountable the Millennia Management Company LLC and Millennia Housing Management Ltd, as well as other troubled HUD owners, for poor property conditions. The Millennia Resistance Campaign will formally present these demands to HUD at their meeting on August 17th. The campaign aims to call the public’s attention to the... Read More »
Congress passed the FY 2022 spending package last night. The bill contains significant federal investments in housing and civil rights, and includes a historic reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). With the President’s signature, this massive package will fully fund the federal government and expand protections for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The spending bill increased HUD funding by $4 billion with moderate increases to most programs, and USDA’s housing programs also received modest increases. The included reauthorization of VAWA contains minor housing spending, and, importantly, improves current law and establishes a new office and director to oversee implementation of the full VAWA housing title. Following are a few highlights from both. Read More »
Today, a significant discrimination case about tenant-screening algorithms begins. The bench trial involves third-party tenant-screening firm CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions, now SafeRent Solutions, which is being sued for discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. Starting at 10:30am ET, the bench trial will be held in Courtroom Two, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT before Judge Bryant. The court calendar can be found here. Read More »
For Immediate Release Contact: Deidre Swesnik, Director of Communications dswesnik@nhlp.org; 202-919-9106 Virginia Housing Organizer Honored with Special Commendation from the National Housing Law Project Omari al-Qadaffi is being recognized for his courageous and sustained work on behalf of tenants and communities of color and for his unflagging advocacy for housing and racial justice. September 22, 2021 – Today, the National Housing Law Project announced a special commendation for Richmond, Va. area housing organizer Omari al-Qadaffi noting his long history of work to support tenants in Virginia including his advocacy to ensure special protections for renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are proud to honor Omari al-Qadaffi with this Housing and Racial Justice... Read More »
