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From Fox News: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) eliminated federal regulations created during the Obama administration, which Secretary Scott Turner accused of putting “extreme and restrictive demands” on local housing developers.
President Donald Trump rescinded the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, created under former President Barack Obama, during his first administration. Trump said at the time in a speech about cutting red tape in the federal government that the rule serves to “eliminate single-family zoning to destroy the value of houses” at the benefit of “far-left Washington bureaucrats.”
Then-President Joe Biden later worked to reinstate the rule but ultimately pulled back due to fear it could make him politically vulnerable as he sought reelection, according to Politico. On Wednesday, HUD initiated its own rulemaking to squash the Obama-era AFFH rule, which mandated that localities commission extensive analyses to certify that new housing developments do not exacerbate disparities among federally protected groups. This includes access to public transportation, schools, hospitals and parks.
During a Wednesday conference call about the AFFH rule’s termination, a HUD official said that discrimination that is prohibited under the Fair Housing Act of 1968 will still remain illegal. But under the new change, localities will now be able to self-certify that their new developments comply with anti-discrimination laws implemented under the 1968 Fair Housing Act.
“I have directed HUD to terminate the Biden-era AFFH Rule. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing was nothing more than a “zoning tax.” It increased home costs & decreased the supply of affordable homes. We’re giving power back to local communities, not Washington bureaucrats,” HUD Sec. Scott Turner announced.
I have directed HUD to terminate the Biden-era AFFH Rule. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing was nothing more than a “zoning tax.” It increased home costs & decreased the supply of affordable homes.
We’re giving power back to local communities, not Washington bureaucrats.
— Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) February 26, 2025
“We’re tearing up the Obama-Biden “Zoning Tax” and saving America’s suburbs,” declared Sec. Turner, as he shared a video of himself signing the order.
We’re tearing up the Obama-Biden “Zoning Tax” and saving America’s suburbs. pic.twitter.com/AkGgiQkvwm
— Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) February 27, 2025
Turner elaborated in an interview with Fox Business.
.@SecretaryTurner Terminates the Obama-Biden AFFH Rule: We’re restoring local control. This in essence is a “zoning tax.” pic.twitter.com/j7mj85FDV3
— Department of Housing and Urban Development (@HUDgov) February 27, 2025
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