Fair Housing Amendment Passes First Hurdle

Measures affecting veterans housing and fair housing law are among amendments that have been accepted and approved as part of the House Financial Services Committee Oversight Plan. The amendments passed by voice vote on Feb. 14, 2013, according to a statement released by Rep. Al Green, who sponsored the measures.

The veterans housing amendment ensures that the Financial Services Committee will continue to review efforts to address veterans’ housing issues and promote coordination between HUD and other agencies. Green’s statement cited estimates from the Department of Veterans Affairs that the nation has between 76,329 to 144,842 homeless veterans.

“Veterans should have all the support possible from a grateful nation that asks so much of them,” Congressman Al Green said. “Ensuring our brave veterans are well taken care of transcends partisanship as well as ideology, and should remain one of the top priorities for our government.”

The fair housing amendment will ensure that the Financial Services Committee continues to review whether the principles of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 are upheld to prevent invidious housing discrimination against consumers. The statement noted that HUD received 27,092 invidious housing discrimination complaints in 2011.

“Invidious housing discrimination prevents Americans of all backgrounds from realizing the dream of homeownership,” Green said. “Expansion of homeownership should not just be the dream of individuals, but also the goal of all Americans who want to grow our economy and allow all hardworking people to experience prosperity.”

Source: Rep. Al Green’s Office

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