​Latimer Denounces Trump's Elimination Of Fair Housing Regs

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Affirming his commitment to fair and affordable housing opportunities across Westchester County, County Executive George Latimer is denouncing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s move to terminate the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation. In a news release, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said the regulation was “unworkable and ultimately a waste of time for localities to comply with.”

He proposed a new rule called “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice,” which significantly reduces what a municipality is required to do to advance fair housing in exchange for federal funds.

Latimer said the weakened rule undermines a 52-year old law, which eliminated barriers to developing affordable housing opportunities.

"Affordable housing has long been one of the top priorities of my administration," he said, "and it is irresponsible to get rid of any tool that contributes to those opportunities, and ultimately better-rounded, more vibrant communities.”

Under the new rule, the grantee’s certification that it will affirmatively further fair housing simply means that the county will take “any action that is rationally related to promoting one or more attributes of fair housing.”

The law would also eliminate the county’s requirement to complete an Assessment of Fair Housing. Ultimately, this combination fails to ensure compliance with the law and does little to advance fair housing.

President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday about getting rid of the AFFH rule. He said that because it was rescinded housing prices will go up and "all of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream" will no longer be "bothered or financially hurt" by low-income housing built in their communities.

Latimer said no Westchester resident wants to live in a segregated county.

"There is absolutely no evidence that supports that fair housing negatively affects property values, or the home rule," he said. "Without strong laws like AFFH in place, Westchester County will fail to be the diverse, multifaceted county we all want to call home.”

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