HUD's final ruling ensures equal access to housing for LGBT community

On Jan. 28, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the development of important protections against housing discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people under a new rule unveiled at the 24th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, a conference hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

"This decision will make a real, immediate difference for the better in the lives of millions of US residents, including those right here in Massachusetts," Kara Suffredini, Executive Director of MassEquality, said. "Anyone who applies for Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgages, or lives in public housing or uses HUD vouchers to help pay for their housing can no longer be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We are also pleased that the Obama Administration plans to train and educate HUD staff and their housing partners on how the Equal Access To Housing rule should be implemented."

The new rule, which makes several changes to current housing programs, will go into effect next month. Under the new rule, owners and operators of HUD-assisted or HUD-insured housing and all lenders offering Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages will be prohibited from discriminating against an applicant or resident based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, the definition of "family" is clarified in the new rule, ensuring that eligible participants in any HUD program will not be excluded based on marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

"This rule is truly historic for the LGBT community and the impact it will have on all of our lives cannot be overstated," National Center for Lesbian Rights Federal Policy Director Maya Rupert, Esq., said in a statement. "Thanks to the remarkable efforts of the Obama administration, and especially HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and Assistant Secretary John Trasvi�a and their staffs, LGBT people and their families will now enjoy critical protections from housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This will improve the lives of countless families and individuals across the country who no longer have to fear being denied housing because of who they are. We applaud HUD for its leadership and commitment to fairness and justice."

"This latest move by the Obama Administration follows a bold declaration by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that LGBT rights are human rights; repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; implementation of a presidential memo prohibiting patient visitation discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; and the federal Office of Personnel Management's announcement prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity in federal employment," Suffredini said. "For far too long, the federal government has been a passive bystander as others have utilized taxpayer resources to engage in anti-LGBT discrimination. We are pleased that the Obama Administration sees its job as one of representing all Americans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."