A federal judge ordered the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a rule that would enable low-income people to afford housing on January 1, 2018.
Back in August, the HUD announced a delay in the rule for two years, saying the agency, under the leadership of Secretary Ben Carson, needed more time to review and evaluate it.
This announcement was followed by several civil rights organizations filing a lawsuit against the agency.
BREAKING: We just got a preliminary injunction to stop @HUDgov from suspending a rule aimed at assisting low-income families in securing affordable housing in higher-opportunity areas. Read the court's opinion here: https://t.co/zNW0quItSb
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) December 23, 2017
More that 5 million people use “Section 8” public housing vouchers, which authorizes the payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of low-income households. This new formula would allow voucher holders to afford housing in more high-opportunity areas with better schools and lower crime rates.
“This case is about more than just housing,” Senior Counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Ajmel Quereshi says. “Of course, they hope to live in a higher-quality residences, but it’s really about people who want to move to better and safer neighborhoods, but they can’t because of the value of their voucher. It’s about schools and transportation and doctor visits and grocery stores that people want to be able to access to support their families.”
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