Warnock Slams HUD for Curtailing Fair Housing Enforcement

Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Housing and Urban Development Acting Chief Financial Officer Irving Dennis over HUD's refusal to distribute fair housing grants

Earlier this month, HUD announced sweeping changes to a federal grant program that supports fair housing efforts

The decision makes it more difficult to identify and adequately investigate violations of housing discrimination, and provide relief for Americans

Senator Reverend Warnock has championed bipartisan legislation to boost housing supply by cutting red tape, investing in local innovation, and reforming legacy housing programs

Senator Reverend Warnock: "HUD is reserving zero dollars for these organizations that are actually experienced in addressing these issues around fair housing"

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee's Economic Policy Subcommittee, questioned Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Chief Financial Officer Irving Dennis over HUD's decision to drastically reduce the number of fair housing grants and deliberately exclude experienced fair housing organizations from the latest round of funding. Earlier this month, HUD announced sweeping changes to a federal grant program that supports fair housing efforts and stopped distributing funds to non-profit organizations that investigate and address housing discrimination.

"HUD is reserving zero dollars for these organizations that are actually experienced in addressing these issues around fair housing," said Senator Warnock. "They're the first line of defense; they're the ones who see it, and none of them will receive anything. How is this consistent with the law, which requires funds to be made available to experienced non-profit, fair housing enforcement organizations?" 

Experienced non-profit organizations are often the primary enforces of fair housing protections for Americans facing housing instability, including people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans. Three in four housing discrimination complaints are first handled by these organizations, yet they rely on federal funding to investigate complaints and educate renters about their rights. HUD's decision to gut the congressionally authorized grant program that supports these efforts will have a devastating impact on Georgians already being squeezed by the ongoing affordability crisis.

Since coming to the Senate, Senator Warnock has worked to expand access to affordable housing and promote a fairer housing market. In July, Senator Warnock secured the inclusion of his provision to ban private equity firms from mass purchasing single-family homes in 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing reform and affordability legislation in a generation. The housing package also included the Senator's Appraisal Modernization Act, a provision to combat appraisal bias. It is the only fair housing provision included in the legislation.

Watch the Senator's full remarks HERE

See below for a transcript of Thursday's hearing exchange 

Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): "The Fair Housing initiative program helps local governments and nonprofit organizations enforce the nation's fair housing laws. In fact, nearly three in four fair housing complaints are first heard by these organizations, which use federal funds to investigate complaints and conduct education about renters' rights.

"Mr. Dennis, you are nominated to be the Chief Financial Officer at HUD, but you are basically doing the job right now. I would imagine you are aware that HUD recently announced they are making $83 million available under this fair housing initiative. How many of these dollars will go to these experienced non-profits who help so many Americans with their fair housing complaints?"  

Acting HUD CFO Irving Dennis (ID): "I'm not sure how those dollars will flow. That is a program decision within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. We're responsible for making sure the funds are available and properly accounted for once they leave HUD and reported."  

SRW: "Let me tell you the answer is zero. HUD does not reserve funding for these organizations, and it explicitly disqualified prior recipients from certain funds. So, HUD is reserving zero dollars for these organizations that are actually experienced in addressing these issues around fair housing. They're the first line of defense; they're the ones who see it, and none of them will receive anything.

"How is this consistent with the law, which requires funds to be made available to experienced non-profit, fair housing enforcement organizations?"  

ID: "Again, these are program decisions, and they are done in consultation with general counsel. I assure you that we are following the law; we will not do anything to violate the law."  

SRW: "I assure you that it's not consistent with the law, and it's bad practice. To just disqualify the organization that is actually experienced with doing this work. I hope you will rethink this if confirmed to this position."

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