Media, Law & Policy

The 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and Current Status of the Act Today

Friday, March 30, 2018, By Scott McDowell

Accusations have been brought against the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Secretary Ben Carson to pull back on enforcement of fair housing. Paula Johnson, a professor of law at 黑料不打烊 College of Law offers insight on this issue and the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act that will be celebrated in April.

“It is outrageous to even fathom that the current secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has taken steps to remove the core function of this department 鈥 to enforce the law听against segregation and exclusion听and promote fair housing opportunities across the United States.听 Racial discrimination in rental, public, and private housing remains rampant in this country,” said College of Law Professor听

“Housing security has a positive impact on future social and economic opportunities, while the lack of housing security can have deleterious effects on people鈥檚 health, social and economic well-being.听Ben Carson,听an African American himself, was given听the opportunity for a safe and听secure听upbringing through the availability of public housing in Detroit. This听makes his听decision to have the听Department of Housing and Urban Development rollback听federal efforts to enforce fair housing laws almost听incomprehensible, almost. No doubt Carson was听encouraged by his boss, President Trump, who has his own personal history of housing discriminations听against听Blacks.”

“Racial segregation in American neighborhoods and schools are at pre-Brown v. Board of Education听levels.听 Affordable housing is听increasingly听scant and homelessness has risen concomitantly.听 Black and Brown families bear the brunt of this discrimination and lack of听housing听opportunities.听 Housing is a basic human need, and one that a just, fair,听and humane society would commit to providing for all citizens.听 To do otherwise, is base and inhumane at best” said Johnson.

“The Fair Housing Act turns 50 on April 11 and several听lawsuits have already been filed in opposition to these efforts to dismantle the historic civil rights legislation. Rest assured there will be more suits to ensure equal rights for all citizens of this nation not just the ones judged worthy.”

Reporters looking to contact Prof. Johnson on this issue should contact Scott McDowell,听Executive Director of听Regional Strategic Communications, at semcdowell@syr.edu or 212-826-0320.