WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced a significant policy shift this past week, detailing the termination of the Obama-era Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule in a televised interview on Monday, March 3. Speaking on Fox Business Network’s “Kudlow,” Turner emphasized the federal government’s commitment to empowering local communities, addressing the home affordability crisis, and reviving the American dream of homeownership.
Repealing the AFFH Rule
The AFFH rule, implemented under the Obama-Biden administration, required local governments to meet federal guidelines on zoning and housing development to qualify for certain grants. Turner framed the regulation as an overreach of Washington bureaucrats, labeling it a “zoning tax” that unfairly burdened local leaders and stifled community planning.
“Washington bureaucrats should not tell localities how to run their neighborhoods,” said Turner, underscoring the importance of returning decision-making power to state and municipal governments. According to Turner, the move to repeal the 75-page regulation will provide states and cities with the freedom and flexibility needed to address their unique housing challenges effectively.
By eliminating the AFFH rule, Turner noted, HUD is dismantling bureaucratic red tape that he argued had restricted the ability of communities to create diverse living options tailored to local needs.
Addressing Housing Costs and Restoring Affordability
A central theme of Turner’s remarks was the connection between federal regulations like AFFH and the home affordability crisis. He explained that stringent rules on housing development have limited supply while driving up costs for prospective homeowners across the U.S.
“We are laser-focused on regulatory reform,” Turner stated, pointing to HUD’s broader goal of reducing barriers that hinder affordable housing. By cutting through red tape, HUD aims to incentivize states and localities to expand housing supply, making homeownership more attainable for American families.
Turner positioned the regulatory rollback as a step toward fulfilling the promise of the American dream. “More people in America can achieve the American dream of homeownership,” he added, reiterating HUD’s commitment to addressing affordability issues head-on.
Preserving the American Suburban Ideal
The changes are expected to impact suburban communities in particular, with Turner stressing the need to “save our suburbs” from the burdens of overregulation. The AFFH rule, Turner argued, hindered many Americans from accessing the suburban lifestyle they aspire to, limiting choices about where families could live, work, and educate their children.
“Washington cannot pick winners and losers,” Turner asserted. By ending the AFFH rule, families now have greater freedom to select where they want to live and raise their children, free from federal interference.
HUD’s decision underscores the administration’s push to shift control from federal authorities to state and local governments, empowering communities to shape their own futures. Turner expressed optimism about the changes, stating, “We’re excited about taking this rule down and restoring freedom and flexibility back to our American people.”
Looking Ahead
The termination of the AFFH rule marks a pivotal shift in U.S. housing policy, rebalancing the scales of authority between federal oversight and local autonomy. For proponents of the move, it represents a reaffirmation of the principles of self-determination at the community level.
While the long-term effects of this decision remain to be seen, Turner’s focus on housing affordability and community self-governance sets a clear tone for HUD’s priorities. For many families aspiring to homeownership, HUD’s actions signal a step toward greater access to opportunity and the suburban ideal.
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