NACEDA ACTION PLAN - Protect CRA, Fair Housing and HOME Funding

Members, Partners and Friends,

It's a critical month for federal advocacy. Two historic pieces of civil rights legislation — the Fair Housing Act and the Community Reinvestment Act  — are at enormous risk of being undermined. And, the FY 2021 budget proposed by President Trump would eliminate the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

We urge you to do three things:

1. Tell Congress to restore HOME funding to $1.5 Billion — Sign on by March 12

The HOME program provides flexible resources to help states and communities address their most pressing housing challenges. We encourage national, state, and local organizations to sign this letter. NACEDA is a member of the HOME Coalition which organized this sign-on letter. 

2. SAY NO to rolling back Fair Housing Act protections — Submit a comment by March 16 

HUD's new proposal would reverse the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule, which provides guidance and tools to identify and address harmful patterns of segregation, discriminatory practices, and disinvestment. Go to fightforhousingjustice.org for sample comment letters and resources. Participate in the #KeepHousingFair tweetstorm TODAY, March 13, from 1:00–2:00 pm Eastern Time.

3.  SAY NO to gutting the Community Reinvestment Act — Submit a comment by April 8 

Proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) would redirect billions of dollars in bank loans, investments, and critical financial services away from low and moderate-income communities and enable redlining. Go to NACEDA.org/CRA for sample comment letters and resources.

Best to you and the communities you serve,

Frank
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Frank Woodruff
Executive Director
National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations