California, other states sue to block Trump effort to roll back fair housing protections

"In effect, the Trump administration is attempting to roll back civil rights enforcement in housing at the federal level, and pressure states to weaken their own protections as well. That's not just bad policy, it's unlawful."

"The federal Fair Housing Act explicitly bans discrimination based on seven traits: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. Under rules set forth during the Obama administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has for years interpreted the law as banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

"In September, HUD issued new guidance threatening to decertify state housing agencies - stripping their federal funding and ability to investigate discrimination claims - if they provide anti-discrimination protections other than those spelled out in the Fair Housing Act."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration's Department of Housing and Urban Development over efforts to eliminate fair housing rules protecting LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups from discrimination. The HUD rule change threatens federal funding for states offering housing protections beyond those explicitly covered by the federal Fair Housing Act. Bonta characterized the action as illegal and harmful, stating it pressures states to weaken their own protections while pushing vulnerable populations toward homelessness. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on seven traits, but the Obama administration interpreted it to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Many states, including California, have adopted broader protections covering additional categories. HUD's September guidance threatened to decertify state housing agencies that provide anti-discrimination protections beyond federal requirements.

Read at Los Angeles Times