Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in opposing a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule that, they say, weakens federal fair housing protections and undermines efforts to combat racial segregation.
In a letter to HUD, the coalition criticized the agency’s new interim final rule, which replaces a more robust 2021 fair housing requirement with a simplified certification process. The change, they argue, effectively strips HUD of its responsibility to enforce the Fair Housing Act’s “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” (AFFH) mandate, which requires federal funding recipients to actively work to reduce segregation and promote inclusive communities.
“HUD’s proposed rule change is a step backward,” said Attorney General Raoul. “It runs counter to HUD’s guiding principles and legal requirements that it should actively seek to combat segregation and work for fair housing for all. I stand with my fellow attorneys general to oppose this harmful proposal.”
“As I’ve said over and over again, the Trump Administration is not above the law. My fellow attorneys general and I are proud to be supporting non-profit organizations that Congress tasked to root out housing discrimination in our communities. The termination of these grants was illegal, and they must be reinstated,” said California Attorney General Bonta. “The stakes are high — many of these non-profit organizations would be forced to close their doors without the grants and our states would suffer severe harms in tackling housing discrimination.”
“It is a shame that the Trump administration is trying to walk back HUD’s responsibility to prevent housing discrimination in communities across our country,” said New York Attorney General James. “Fair housing requirements help address the harmful effects of housing segregation and ensure that everyone can access housing with dignity. HUD has a duty to protect fair housing, and I am proud to stand with my fellow attorneys general to hold them to account.”
The coalition contends that the revised rule fails to require meaningful evaluations of local policies or fair housing plans, making it easier for grantees — including state and local governments — to sidestep their obligations to foster integration and housing equity.
Raoul’s office highlighted that residential segregation remains a significant issue in Illinois. Cities like Decatur, Rockford, Chicago, and Springfield rank among the most racially segregated metro areas nationwide. As a result, educational segregation also persists — with 62% of Black students in Illinois attending schools where 90% or more of the students are Black. The proposed HUD rule, critics argue, would deprive states and localities of key tools to address these longstanding disparities.
HUD’s shocking and unacceptable decision to abruptly cancel these grants gives families fewer
places to turn if they are victims of housing discrimination, jeopardizing their ability to build a
home for themselves or keep a roof over their heads,” said Maryland Attorney General Brown. “Our
Office will do whatever it can to protect this essential funding that helps enforce fair housing
laws and combats housing segregation, protecting the safety and security of vulnerable
Marylanders.”
Joining Illinois in the letter were attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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