WASHINGTON — The Department of Housing and Urban Development is tightening enforcement of fair housing laws by requiring cities to identify persistent patterns of racial bias in their communities and work to eliminate them, Housing Secretary Julian Castro said Wednesday.
Through a new rule, HUD will provide data and other resources to help participating cities set goals, and track and publicly report progress over time, Castro said. The goal is better enforcement of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which, Castro said, has fallen short over time.
“We must give every young person access to a community of opportunity,” Castro said. “We can do that by revitalizing struggling communities and by giving people the chance to live in areas where they can thrive; all with local leadership deciding what strategies work best for them and their needs.”
HUD will provide guidance and technical assistance so local officials can examine their local housing patterns and establish diverse communities.