Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s reversal of the Trump Administration’s attempt to weaken the Equal Access Rule.

“I am pleased that Secretary Fudge has reversed the previous administration’s efforts that would have gutted the Equal Access Rule,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Under President Obama, HUD instituted these rules to strengthen provisions of the Fair Housing Act and ensure individuals have equal access to services, benefits, and shelter provided through HUD programs, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. In March of 2017, the Trump Administration undermined that rule by rescinding a Federal Register Notice that would have required owners and operators of HUD-funded homeless shelters to inform individuals of their rights. The Trump Administration worked tirelessly to dismantle and undermine protections like the Equal Access Rule, sending a clear message to industry actors and housing providers that the administration had no plans to take violations seriously. When the pandemic hit, the Trump Administration left millions of families with weakened fair housing protections meant to help the very people struggling the most during COVID-19, including people of color, immigrant communities, people with disabilities, and others.

“In December of 2020, I called on then President-Elect Biden to take immediate action in office to rescind the Trump Administration’s harmful rules and to reinstitute the Obama-era Equal Access Rule and guidance, along with the 2013 Disparate Impact and 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing regulations that are necessary to ensure everyday Americans are stably and equitably housed. I am pleased that Secretary Fudge has prioritized fair housing. Especially during this time of economic instability and a worsening housing crisis, I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to fully reinstate these rules and to strengthen the tools we have at our disposal to combat housing discrimination in all of its forms, whether in evictions, appraisals, technology, lending, or otherwise. Every individual deserves a fair shot at home and community.” 

On March 10, 2021, Chairwoman Waters applauded Marcia Fudge’s confirmation as HUD Secretary. 

On March 10, 2021, Chairwoman Waters convened a full Committee virtual hearing entitled, “Justice for All: Achieving Racial Equity Through Fair Access to Housing and Financial Services.”

On January 27, 2021, Chairwoman Waters applauded President Biden’s Memorandum on Redressing Our Nation’s and the Federal Government’s History of Discriminatory Housing Practices and Policies.

On December 4, 2020, Chairwoman Waters provided recommendations to then President-Elect Biden on Trump actions to reverse.

On July 6, 2020, Chairwoman Waters and Representative Wexton called on HUD to reconsider revisions to the Equal Access Rule. 

On June 12, 2019,  under Chairwoman Waters’ leadership, the Committee passed the Ensuring Equal Access to Shelter Act of 2019, a bill by Representative Jennifer Wexton, which would block HUD from implementing a proposed rule that would allow shelter providers to deny LGBTQ+ individuals equal access.

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