Bill > HR1609

This bill aims to nullify several housing-related regulations and notices from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), specifically targeting rules related to "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" (AFFH). The bill prevents federal funds from being used to create databases tracking racial disparities in housing, and requires HUD to conduct a collaborative consultation process with state, local, and public housing officials to develop recommendations for fair housing policies. Under the bill, the HUD Secretary must jointly consult with these officials to develop recommendations consistent with Supreme Court rulings, seeking consensus and input from a diverse range of perspectives. The consultation process requires transparency, meaningful input, and exploration of alternative methods to achieve fair housing objectives. The Secretary must publish a draft report within 12 months, make it available for public comment for at least 180 days, and then prepare a final report addressing those comments. If consensus cannot be reached on certain issues, the report must detail areas of agreement and disagreement. The bill effectively limits HUD's regulatory power and emphasizes local control over zoning and housing decisions, with the stated goal of protecting local autonomy in housing policy.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1609/all-info