HUD Clarifies RE Civil Rights Protections
HUD joined seven other agencies, saying that “Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits antisemitism, Islamophobia and related forms of discrimination.”
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and seven other agencies across the federal government – the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Treasury, and Transportation – clarified in writing that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits antisemitism, Islamophobia and related forms of discrimination.
In addition to shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics, religion is also a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. The announcement is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism released in May 2023.
“The fact sheet we are releasing today sends a strong message that discrimination on the basis of shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics is illegal under the Civil Rights Act,” says Demetria McCain, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. “This announcement is in line with HUD’s continued commitment to combat housing discrimination in all forms.”
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