Since 1968, equal housing opportunity has been a Federal commitment. But to reach what President Clinton has called "One America," it must be a national necessity. Today, we can celebrate 30 years of great achievement -- but the fact remains that there is much to be done before the American promise of equal housing is fulfilled.
In some ways, housing discrimination is even more insidious today than it was 30 years ago. It is often less visible, more subtle. It is not only the "discrimination with a fist" of old, but today it is more often "discrimination with a smile." We must take steps to combat it because any kind of discrimination slams the door of opportunity to minorities, persons with disabilities, and families with children.
In 1997 HUD launched a nationwide crackdown on housing discrimination as part of the President's "One America" initiative. Since then, HUD has increased enforcement actions involving housing discrimination, doubling the previous rate. Additionally, the Department won extra funding for programs to fight housing discrimination. The Fair Housing budget was raised from $30 million in HUD's FY98 budget to $40 million in FY99.
We are working overtime to make sure that fair housing laws are enforced. That means helping a fair housing group in Virginia that used HUD funds to test for racial discrimination and won a record $100 million judgment against a major home insurer. But, it also means helping a single African-American family in West Virginia win $10,000 in punitive damages from White neighbors who harassed and threatened them.
To help us rededicate America to the spirit of freedom, justice, and equality that led to the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act in 1968, HUD will conduct a major audit of racial and ethnic discrimination in housing. This effort will provide us with local and national "report cards" on rental and sales markets that allow us, for the first time ever, to track progress over time. These report cards will help local communities, private fair housing advocates, and the Federal Government better understand the ways in which minorities and other protected groups are denied equal treatment. They will help HUD shape its campaign in the 21st century to end the scourge of housing discrimination.
On behalf of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, I commend this collection of essays to your attention. I welcome your interest, and I trust you will join us in our Nation's journey toward a more just society, toward "One America," toward a new century of promise.
Andrew Cuomo
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
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