BREAKING: Fair Housing Enforcement is Under Attack

Dear CLC community,  

I’m writing to share some deeply troubling news. Last week, the federal government terminated nearly half of the grants to organizations that enforce fair housing laws across the country. The funding, distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), supports organizations who investigate and litigate housing discrimination cases and enforce the Fair Housing Act. These terminations come at a time when the federal administration is targeting organizations engaged in important racial justice work and attempting to silence efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Unfortunately, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and some of our partners have been impacted by this devastating decision and targeted with the termination of these critical funds.  

Nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations like ours are on the frontlines of this work representing thousands of families and individuals facing housing discrimination, fighting for stronger fair housing protections, and holding those accountable who violate local, state, and federal fair housing laws. Slashing this funding across the country puts not just the organizations doing this work at risk but leaves the families and individuals facing discriminatory barriers to housing without this necessary support.  

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was passed to fight widespread discrimination in housing that locked marginalized communities out of housing opportunities. We know that housing discrimination persists today – families and individuals are still denied homes because of their race, family status, source of income, or if they have a disability.  

At a time when our country faces a massive housing crisis, skyrocketing cost of living, and a looming recession, cutting this funding is simply unconscionable. Strong enforcement of fair housing laws is critical to ensuring that everyone can access safe, stable, and affordable housing, free from discrimination. Gutting fair housing enforcement programs is a threat to the civil rights of all people and to the future of fair housing.  

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights urges HUD to repeal this decision and uphold its commitment to fair housing enforcement. Everyone deserves to live free from discrimination and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee will continue to fight for fair and affordable housing and to fulfill the promise of racial justice.  

Please consider a donation to support this work during this difficult transition. We need the support from our community now more than ever to ensure we can continue doing this important work.  

Thank you for standing with us.   

In solidarity, 

Emily Coffey
Director of Equitable Community Development and Housing 
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights