A guide for HUD program participants to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic equality, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.
HUD and its program participants are required to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH), a concept that originates in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act.
Affirmatively furthering fair housing requires HUD program participants, including state and local governments and public housing agencies (PHAs), to combat discrimination and take meaningful actions that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on seven federally protected characteristics, described below. Among other actions, program participants, affirmatively further fair housing by addressing disparities in access to opportunities such as quality schools, quality foods, healthy environments, access to employment, and transportation connectivity. Before they can act, they should conduct planning to identify barriers to fair housing and determine the best steps to address them.
Through a fair housing planning process, HUD program participants develop a team to lead and support the efforts, engage with community members and stakeholders, collect and analyze data, and set meaningful goals to AFFH. When done well, fair housing plans create a foundation for progress – bringing together the people, knowledge, and direction needed to make lasting change.
About the Toolkit
This toolkit offers general fair housing guidance to help HUD program participants complete meaningful fair housing plans. It covers each dimension of the planning process, from assembling a team to setting effective goals.
