Philadelphia the First City to “Affirmatively Further Fair Housing”

Philadelphia the First City to “Affirmatively Further Fair Housing”

As rental prices soar and gentrification encroaches ethnic enclaves, the importance of fair housing to equality is clearer than ever. Neighborhoods are key determinants of education and job opportunities, as well as quality of life and safety for their residents. With this in mind, on July 16th, HUD published a rule to more effectively meet the Fair Housing Act’s requirement to “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH). According to the new AFFH law: “Affirmatively furthering fair housing means taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity …”

As communities continue to face challenges posed by rising rental costs and the changing dynamics of urban neighborhoods, homeowners often find themselves seeking the most practical solutions to manage their properties. In these times, selling a home can become a significant decision for those looking to adjust to the evolving landscape. The key to navigating these decisions smoothly lies in working with experienced professionals who understand the nuances of local housing markets and can offer personalized solutions. Whether you’re facing the pressure of rising costs or simply looking for a change, selling to trusted cash buyers like Premier Property Buyers can provide you with an efficient, straightforward process. By choosing this route, homeowners can skip the lengthy waiting periods and complicated negotiations typically involved in traditional real estate transactions.

When considering a cash sale, you may wonder: why choose us? The answer lies in our commitment to transparency and a seamless experience. Premier Property Buyers offers fair, competitive offers that are designed to meet your needs without the hassle of repairs or showings. Our process is quick, ensuring that you receive an offer within days and can close in a timeframe that works for you. For those facing the impact of gentrification or simply seeking a quick, hassle-free sale, we offer a solution that gives homeowners the flexibility to move on with their plans, all while preserving the value of their property. With our expertise and commitment to client satisfaction, you can trust that your sale will be handled professionally and efficiently, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

The new AFFH Law was proposed because the existing Fair Housing Act of 1968 suffered from limitations such as lack of public participation, no prescribed system of renewal, and no regulatory guidance, which rendered it ineffective.

Under this new law, the old Analysis of Impediments (AI) has been replaced with a standardized Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) which must be completed every five years. An accepted AFH is required for approval of Consolidated Plans and Public Housing Agency Plans, and all Consolidated Plans, Annual Action Plans, and PHA Plans are required to include methods of promoting fair housing consistent with the goals in the accepted AFH. HUD is assisting all participating programs to meet these stricter guidelines by providing the AFFH Data and Mapping Tool, which will guide programs in their planning, although program participants must also provide local data and knowledge from community participation to grow this tool.

Though published last year (2015), the new AFFH law will not be nationally implemented until 2020. However, by October 2016, Philadelphia is set to submit a plan to meet these new standards, making it the first city to do so. The implementation of this plan will yield meaningful data about the state of housing in our city and is the first step towards deconstructing housing discrimination and segregation in Philadelphia.

These new standards in particular feature a new Assessment Tool
A detailed overview of the final regulations for AFFH is provided by at http://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/Factsheet_AFFH.pdf .