Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 18 other attorneys general, is opposing a new rule by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They sent a letter stating that Department of Housing and Urban Development's interim final rule weakens civil rights protections under the Fair Housing Act. The coalition believes the rule reduces efforts to prevent discrimination in home sales and rentals, according to the Department of Attorney General.
The new rule removes a requirement for grantees to certify that they are working to affirmatively further fair housing before receiving federal funding. They argue that the updated certification process is less thorough than before and does not effectively evaluate efforts to reduce segregation or promote integration. They also say it does not require specific fair housing planning, which they believe goes against the Fair Housing Act’s requirements for Department of Housing and Urban Development to promote fair housing. "The core mission of the Department of Housing and Urban Development is to ensure fair, inclusive, and equitable housing, but this interim final rule undermines years of progress in strengthening civil rights protections," as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
Several state Attorneys General, including Michigan's, have expressed concerns about a recent interim rule, questioning its factual basis and its potential impact on Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ability to address barriers to fair housing. Officials from states like Arizona, California, and New York have joined the opposition. Michigan Attorney General Nessel stated, "Michigan residents deserve strong, enforceable safeguards against discrimination, and I stand with my colleagues in calling on HUD to uphold its commitment to promote fair housing," as mentioned by the Department of Attorney General.
