Act Now: Urge Congress to Support Critical Fair Housing Enforcement Funding in the FY ‘26 Budget

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Act Now: Urge Congress to Support Critical Fair Housing Funding in the FY ‘26 Budget

Congress is beginning work on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations process, and it is critically important that Members hear from their constituents on the importance of fully funding the nation’s fair housing programs.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen several attacks on fair housing. This includes the February 27^th notification from HUD terminating 78 grant contracts effective immediately. And the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has plans to drastically cut staffing levels at HUD, including cutting staffing at the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) by nearly 77 percent. FHEO is responsible for implementing the Fair Housing Act in HUD’s own programs as well as other important functions that promote fair housing. Among those responsibilities are the administration of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which supports private fair housing enforcement and education in local communities; reimbursing state and local government agencies for complaints they investigate through the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP); and operating and maintaining an administrative complaint process that victims of housing discrimination can use to access relief.

Tell Congress to support essential funding for fair housing programs!

Now is not the time to cut critical funding for fair housing programs. In 2023 – the most recent reporting year for comprehensive fair housing complaint data – 34,150 fair housing complaints were received by private fair housing organizations, FHAP agencies, HUD and DOJ, representing the highest number of complaints ever reported in a single year, 3.5 percent higher than the number of complaints reported in 2022.

As the nation is in the throes of a fair and affordable housing crisis, persistent housing discrimination, and increased homelessness, Congress must act to provide the highest possible amount for HUD appropriations and fully fund our nation’s fair housing programs for FY ‘26.

Why is this important? Because where you live matters. It is more than just an address, as place is inextricably linked to opportunity: where we live determines our access to fresh air, clean water, well-resourced schools, healthcare facilities, reliable transportation, good jobs, quality internet service, and much more. Congress must work diligently to support the work happening in local communities to help victims of housing discrimination, such as disabled veterans and seniors requiring accessible housing opportunities; families with children with the ability to rent an apartment free of discrimination; and people seeking to buy a home free of racial harassment. And protect access for all people to opportunity, including the ability to live in communities with the life affirming amenities to live healthy and thriving lives. To do that, Congress must provide the following funding:

$125 million for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP).

$36.6 million for Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP).

$153 million for salaries to support 1,125 Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) staff at HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Act now to tell Congress to provide the highest possible funding for HUD programs, fully funding fair housing programs!

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Act Now: Urge Congress to Support Critical Fair Housing Enforcement Funding in the FY ‘26 Budget

U.S. Senate

Subject: Support Strong Fair Housing Funding in FY '26

Message:

Dear Senator [ADD YOUR MEMBER'S NAME], As work begins on the FY ’26 appropriations process, I am reaching out to ask that you support the highest possible level of funding for HUD programs for FY ’26; fully fund our nation’s fair housing programs; and defend HUD’s ability to fully enforce the landmark Fair Housing Act. In 2023 – the most recent reporting year for comprehensive fair housing complaint data – 34,150 fair housing complaints were received by private, non-profit fair housing organizations, FHAP agencies, HUD and DOJ, representing the highest number of complaints ever reported in a single year, 3.5 percent higher than the number of complaints reported in 2022. Specifically, in 2023 FHIP funded organizations processed 75.52 percent of all complaints filed in 2023, and FHAP agencies processed 19.26 percent of all complaints. Together, these organizations and agencies investigate and handled 95 percent of reported instances of housing discrimination, each playing a crucial role in helping individuals and families who have felt the destabilizing effects of housing and lending discrimination, and appraisal bias. Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) funding is the only federal resource for local, nonprofit, private enforcement and fair housing services, and I am requesting $125 million for FY ‘26 to increase grant awards for multi-year enforcement grants, strengthen education and outreach grants, and begin creating private fair housing groups in areas not served by a full-service fair housing group. The Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) also plays an important role in handling fair housing cases filed under state and local laws, and I urge you to fight for $36.6 million for FHAP. This increase would strengthen funding for local and state government civil rights agencies for their processing and investigation of cases they receive from us, the public, or those that are referred to them by HUD. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) has seen consistent understaffing, delaying complaint investigations. These delays have caused great harm to HUD’s responsibility to effectively implement the Fair Housing Act. I am requesting $153 million to support 1,125 Full-Time-Equivalent staff at HUD’s FHEO. I hope you will support the highest funding level possible for these critically important programs and fully fund FHIP, FHAP, and HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]

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U.S. House of Representatives

Subject: Support Strong Fair Housing Funding in FY '26

Message:

Dear Representative [ADD YOUR MEMBER'S NAME], As work begins on the FY ’26 appropriations process, I am reaching out to ask that you support the highest possible level of funding for HUD programs for FY ’26; fully fund our nation’s fair housing programs; and defend HUD’s ability to fully enforce the landmark Fair Housing Act. In 2023 – the most recent reporting year for comprehensive fair housing complaint data – 34,150 fair housing complaints were received by private, non-profit fair housing organizations, FHAP agencies, HUD and DOJ, representing the highest number of complaints ever reported in a single year, 3.5 percent higher than the number of complaints reported in 2022. Specifically, in 2023 FHIP funded organizations processed 75.52 percent of all complaints filed in 2023, and FHAP agencies processed 19.26 percent of all complaints. Together, these organizations and agencies investigate and handled 95 percent of reported instances of housing discrimination, each playing a crucial role in helping individuals and families who have felt the destabilizing effects of housing and lending discrimination, and appraisal bias. Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) funding is the only federal resource for local, nonprofit, private enforcement and fair housing services, and I am requesting $125 million for FY ‘26 to increase grant awards for multi-year enforcement grants, strengthen education and outreach grants, and begin creating private fair housing groups in areas not served by a full-service fair housing group. The Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) also plays an important role in handling fair housing cases filed under state and local laws, and I urge you to fight for $36.6 million for FHAP. This increase would strengthen funding for local and state government civil rights agencies for their processing and investigation of cases they receive from us, the public, or those that are referred to them by HUD. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) has seen consistent understaffing, delaying complaint investigations. These delays have caused great harm to HUD’s responsibility to effectively implement the Fair Housing Act. I am requesting $153 million to support 1,125 Full-Time-Equivalent staff at HUD’s FHEO. I hope you will support the highest funding level possible for these critically important programs and fully fund FHIP, FHAP, and HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]

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Act Now: Urge Congress to Support Critical Fair Housing Funding in the FY ‘26 Budget

Act Now: Urge Congress to Support Critical Fair Housing Enforcement Funding in the FY ‘26 Budget

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