iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Starting today, new fair housing protections for renters with vouchers take effect in Maryland! The law limits when and how MD landlords can screen an applicant based on income and credit if that applicant uses a housing voucher. Check out our updated resource: equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/u...

equalrightscenter.org

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"Being against something tells us what must end. A vision tells us what we are trying to build in its place." Read ERC Executive Director Kate Scott's insight on the organization's updated mission statement, and what it means for our community: www.linkedin.com/pulse/rememb...

equalrightscenter.org

Become a Member – Equal Rights Center

Become a Member By becoming a member of the Equal Rights Center, you join a community committed to advancing civil rights through education, advocacy, and research. Your support helps us identify and ...

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Do you live in SW DC? Come to UPO's SW Community Health & Wellness Day for community resources, activities & connections. Find the ERC booth for information about your fair housing rights. Sat. Sept. 26, 10AM - 3PM www.eventbrite.com/e/sw-communi...

eventbrite.com

SW Community Health & Wellness Day

Connect. Learn. Thrive! Join UPO & community partners for a FREE day of health, wellness, resources, activities & community connections.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

For housing providers (Sept. 22, 1 PM): us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... For renters (Sept. 23, 12 PM): us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

10 days left until Maryland’s new housing laws go into effect! Are you prepared? The Equal Rights Center, @Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, and @Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will hold webinars for renters and housing providers all about new source of income protections. Register below.

Text reads: Are you prepared for new Maryland housing laws? 10 days to go.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

ERC Executive Director Kate Scott on HUD's new one-year reporting cutoff for inaccessible housing violations: “The idea that a person is not harmed by inaccessible housing because they encountered it 366 days after a certificate of occupancy is issued versus 365 days afterwards is ludicrous."

washingtonsun.com

HUD Is Rolling Back Accessibility Under the Guise of Cutting Red Tape

A new Housing and Urban Development policy could cause big problems for disabled tenants.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Are you a renter in DC? Come to the Annual Tenant Summit hosted by the OTA for a day of presentations covering topics important to renters, from experts in the District. Find ERC's booth for info about your fair housing rights! Join us at 899 North Capitol St. on Sept. 19, 9AM - 4PM.

eventbrite.com

Office of the Tenant Advocate 17th Annual Tenant Summit

Join us for a full day of presentations covering topics important to renters, from some of the leading experts in District government.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

ERC is seeking proposals from qualified creative agencies to refresh the ERC brand and redesign our current website. Our goal is to create an updated logo, branding materials, and website that communicate our mission. We will receive proposals by email until October 16, 2026. More details:

equalrightscenter.org

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

“It is already extremely difficult for people who have been discriminated against to enforce their fair housing rights," said Kate Scott, executive director of the Equal Rights Center. This memo from HUD will only make it harder.” www.notus.org/housing/hous...

notus.org

HUD Is Rolling Back Accessibility Under the Guise of Cutting Red Tape

A new Housing and Urban Development policy could cause big problems for disabled tenants.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Get ready for the 5th Annual Arlington Fair Housing Conference! Join us for 3 virtual events between Sept. 14 and Oct. 26, including a Know Your Rights webinar from the ERC. Learn all about the state of fair housing in Arlington County, VA. Register: arlingtonnaacp.com/housing

arlingtonnaacp.com

Housing - NAACP Arlington Branch

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

"When accessible housing is unavailable, people are forced to remain in unsafe living situations, enter nursing homes prematurely, or even face homelessness." Laws alone aren't enough; enforcement is what makes accessibility real. shelterforce.org/2026/08/05/t...

shelterforce.org

The Accessibility Rules Were There. The Enforcement Wasn’t. — Shelterforce

Federal accessibility requirements are only as effective as the local governments responsible for enforcing them.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

After 6 weeks of longevity leave, ERC Executive Director Kate Scott returned to an organization that kept the work moving forward in her absence. Her latest newsletter reflects on "group-centered" leadership & what it demands of organizations like the ERC. Read more: www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-ge...

linkedin.com

Who Gets to Lead?

Earlier this month, I returned to work after six weeks of longevity leave. There are plenty of things I could say about the experience of stepping away from work for that long.

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Reposted by The Equal Rights Center

National Fair Housing Alliance @natfairhouse.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A major win for fair housing. Today, a federal judge blocked HUD’s FY2025 FHIP funding overhaul, protecting the organizations people turn to when they face housing discrimination. The fight isn’t over, and our work continues. Read our full statement: nationalfairhousing.org/fair-housing...

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

A new bill would make it illegal for housing providers to discriminate based on citizenship or immigration status. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for September 15. bethesdamagazine.com/2026/07/31/n...

bethesdamagazine.com

New bill would ban housing discrimination against immigrants, noncitizens

Councilmember Mink says documentation 'doesn’t tell you anything about how a person is going to be as a tenant or a homebuyer'

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Advocates warn that changes to a HUD grant program "will promote the Administration’s personal preferences rather than Congress's intent to prevent & remedy the very real housing discrimination millions in our country suffer every year." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/r...

nytimes.com

Fair Housing Groups Sue HUD Over Funding Changes (Gift Article)

A shift in grant requirements would curtail fair housing investigations, according to a new lawsuit.

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Reposted by The Equal Rights Center

National Fair Housing Alliance @natfairhouse.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

NFHA and the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center have filed a lawsuit challenging HUD's latest attempt to dismantle the primary federal funding program supporting local fair housing organizations. Learn more about what’s at stake: nationalfairhousing.org/lawsuit-to-h...

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

For Disability Pride Month, Executive Director Kate Scott shares her reaction to the DOJ's recent Olmstead memo, and speaks to why community integration for people with disabilities cannot be taken for granted this month and beyond. Read more: www.linkedin.com/pulse/right-...

linkedin.com

The Right to Belong—and How We Intend to Defend It

There are certain civil rights victories that become so foundational that most people stop thinking about them. The idea that disabled people should be able to live, work, and participate fully in the...

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

In 2025, we conducted 780 civil rights tests to identify discrimination. Then, we used the results to educate the public, support policy advocacy, take enforcement action, and more! Read our 2025 annual report: equalrightscenter.org/news-posts/a...

A person with a large magnifying glass. Text reads "780 tests"

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

You can report housing discrimination to the Equal Rights Center by calling 202-234-3062 or emailing info@equalrightscenter.org.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Buying a home, applying for a mortgage, or getting an appraisal? The Fair Housing Act protects you from discrimination in all of these. Watch for red flags like steering, unequal loan terms, and more: equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/u...

Housing discrimination: sales and lending. What is the Fair Housing Act and how does it apply to home sales and lending? The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal nationwide to discriminate in housing on the basis of your membership in 7 "protected classes" - including race, color, religion, disability, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in one's household). State and local fair housing laws may have additional protected characteristics. You can view a list of all locally protected classes in the DC region on the ERC's website. The Fair Housing Act applies to most housing transactions, including buying or selling a home, applying for a mortgage or home loan, receiving a property appraisal, and seeking homeowner's insurance. What can housing discrimination look like? Signs of housing discrimination during sales or lending transactions might include: A realtor only shows you homes in certain neighborhoods, even though you expressed an interest in other neighborhoods within your budget; A bank or mortgage broker steers you to a particular loan product - for example, an FHA loan - without knowing your financial qualifications; A bank or mortgage broker denies your loan application or offers you less favorable terms because you are on or about to take maternity leave; A realtor, bank, or mortgage broker provides you with bad customer service - for example, they ignore you or send repeated requests for the same information; or A real estate agent, lender, or insurance company tells you that they simply do not sell, lend, or insure houses in the neighborhood where you're interested in living.

Housing discrimination: sales and lending. Who should I contact if I believe I've been discriminated against in housing? If you have experienced illegal housing discrimination, you may be able to obtain compensation for the harm you experienced or request policy changes. You can report housing discrimination to the Equal Rights Center by calling 202-234-3062 or emailing info@equalrightscenter.org. You can also file a complaint directly with HUD on their website. How can the ERC help? Civil rights testing: Trained civil rights testers pose as potential buyers or borrowers to find out if and how discrimination is occurring. Advocacy: Advocating on your behalf with a housing provider to address possible discrimination. Fair housing complaint: Assisting you with filing a housing discrimination complaint with HUD or the appropriate state/local agency. Reasonable accommodations and modifications: Assisting people with disabilities with requesting reasonable accommodations or modifications. Equal Rights Center. www.equalrightscenter.org

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Section 504 guarantees people with disabilities the right to live in their communities, but a lawsuit has put that right at risk. If you live in TX, AK, FL, LA, or MT, contact your attorney general. Call script & email template here: www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/04/texa...

disabilitybelongs.org

States Continue Legal Attack on Section 504 and the Right to Live in the Community - Disability Belongs™

Texas and five other states are continuing their legal challenge to disability civil rights protections under Section 504.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Fair housing has had bipartisan support for decades because everyone deserves protection from housing discrimination. During #FairHousingWeekOfAction, tell Congress to protect the local fair housing organizations communities rely on. Send your message today: bit.ly/FairHousingA...

Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Fair housing isn't partisan. It never has been. For decades, Congress has supported federal funding for local fair housing organizations to help people understand their rights and enforce the Fair Housing Act of 1968. HUD's actions will prevent experienced, frontline organizations from receiving funding to fight back against housing discrimination faced by you and your neighbors. Tell Congress to protect fair housing today.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

This past year, ERC's Multifamily Housing Resource Program conducted 94 fair housing and accessibility trainings reaching 4,120 housing professionals, our most learners in over a decade! Read our 2025 annual report: equalrightscenter.org/news-posts/a...

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Reposted by The Equal Rights Center

National Fair Housing Alliance @natfairhouse.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

We're teaming up with social justice advocate and creator RaeShanda Lias for #FairHousingWeekOfAction to spotlight what's at stake for local fair housing organizations and the communities they serve. Watch and help spread the word about protecting fair housing for all.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

DOJ and HHS delayed a rule that would require state and local government websites to meet accessibility standards. The National Federation of the Blind sued to demand prompt, equal access to voter registration, healthcare portals, and other vital programs. www.route-fifty.com/customer-exp...

route-fifty.com

Disability advocates sue over website accessibility delays

The National Federation of the Blind sued the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services after a rule requiring government websites to be accessible was delayed for a year.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Housing discrimination doesn't stop when funding to fight it does. This #FairHousingWeekOfAction, tell Congress to protect the local organizations that help veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, families, and others enforce their rights. Send your message today: bit.ly/FairHousingA...

Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Housing discrimination doesn't stop when funding to stop it does. If fair housing organizations close, people facing discrimination are left to fight alone. Veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, black and brown families, LGBTQ+ communities, survivors of domestic & sexual violence. Tell Congress to protect fair housing today.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Local fair housing organizations handle 70%+ of housing discrimination cases, but HUD's funding changes put many at risk. Help us send 5,000 messages to Congress by using the link to urge lawmakers to protect fair housing organizations and the communities they serve: bit.ly/FairHousingA...

Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Local fair housing organizations fighting discrimination are at risk. New actions by HUD could force these organizations to close or significantly reduce services. We need you to call on Congress to defend the organizations on the frontlines against discrimination.

Text reads: Fair housing week of action. What's happening. The administration sent Congress a budget with $0 for fair housing organizations. HUD is restructuring the program in ways that could prevent local organizations from receiving funds. When fair housing organizations lose funding, communities lose support.

Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Why this matters: Local fair housing organizations help people understand their rights and enforce the law. More than 70% of housing discrimination cases start here. Without funding, many may be forced to close ot cut services.

Text reads: Fair housing week of action. Call to action: Tell Congress: protect local fair housing organizations, preserve fair housing enforcement, ensure communities have access to critical support. Be one of the 5,000. Send your message today.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

In 2025, we responded to 145 reports of housing discrimination. Ms. R reported source of income discrimination during her housing search and, with ERC's help, fought to hold the homeowner & property manager accountable. Read more in our annual report: equalrightscenter.org/news-posts/a...

equalrightscenter.org

ERC 2025 Annual Report – Equal Rights Center

In 2025, we used civil rights testing to identify illegal discrimination and took action to eliminate it.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

July is Disability Pride Month, marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and uplifting people with disabilities in the push for full inclusion. This year, that work carries added weight amid federal attacks on disability rights. Learn more: thearc.org/blog/why-and...

thearc.org

Disability Pride Month 2026: Theme, History, How to Celebrate

What Disability Pride Month is, the 2026 theme “The World Works Better With Us,” why it matters now, and ways to celebrate and take action.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

The Equal Access Rule ensures transgender people can access homeless shelters aligned with their gender identity. The Trump administration has proposed rolling it back, leaving vulnerable trans Americans with fewer protections. Submit a comment to oppose this rollback before June 29.

action.transequality.org

Submit a comment on the Federal Register!

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Olmstead v. L.C. guaranteed disabled Americans the right to community-based care over institutionalization. A new DOJ memo signals the federal govt. will stop enforcing that Supreme Court ruling, putting community-based services that 8.4 million Americans rely on at risk. www.npr.org/2026/06/20/n...

npr.org

DOJ memo stokes fear among disability advocates of a return to institutionalization

The Justice Department's opinion challenges civil rights protections that have long treated the institutionalization of disabled Americans as a last resort.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

HUD has proposed eliminating anti-discrimination protections for transgender people at federally funded shelters. The deadline to submit a comment opposing this rule is June 29. Take action now: equalrightscenter.org/equal-access...

equalrightscenter.org

HUD Proposal Endangers Transgender People Experiencing Homelessness – Equal Rights Center

On April 28, 2026, HUD proposed a rule to eliminate anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals at federally funded shelters.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

For Pride Month, Executive Director Kate Scott shares her reaction to seeing ERC called a "woke nonprofit" in the Trump administration's FY2027 Budget, and speaks to the importance of showing up for trans rights this month and beyond. Read more: www.linkedin.com/pulse/pride-...

equalrightscenter.org

HUD Proposal Endangers Transgender People Experiencing Homelessness – Equal Rights Center

On April 28, 2026, HUD proposed a rule to eliminate anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals at federally funded shelters.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

In 2025, ERC conducted 780 civil rights tests, opened 145 fair housing intakes, trained 4,120+ housing professionals, educated 2,896 voucher holders, & helped clients obtain $120,000 in monetary relief. Read our annual report to learn what else we accomplished: equalrightscenter.org/news-posts/a...

equalrightscenter.org

ERC 2025 Annual Report – Equal Rights Center

In 2025, we used civil rights testing to identify illegal discrimination and took action to eliminate it.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity has stopped investigations of sexual orientation and gender identity cases. The Supreme Court established legal precedent for LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections in 2020, but without federal enforcement... equalrightscenter.org/lgbtq-housin...

equalrightscenter.org

What is the state of LGBTQ+ fair housing rights? – Equal Rights Center

HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity has stopped investigations of sexual orientation and gender identity cases.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

At our Annual Meeting, ERC Executive Director Kate Scott discussed how ERC has continued to serve our community through hardship and reminded the community: “This work belongs to all of us. Whether you’re speaking up or staying engaged, you are part of this.” equalrightscenter.org/fhm-event-re...

ERC Executive Director Kate Scott speaks.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Critical homeownership programs are being dismantled. @natfairhouse.bsky.social is suing to stop it. ERC stands with them. Fair housing is still the law. #FairHousingIsTheLaw nationalfairhousing.org

Text reads "For generations, the traditional lending market denied families who were ready to own a home. Programs built to change that are now under attack."

Text reads "In Washington State, 2,500 families, many of them from communities the lending market had turned away for decades, found a path to homeownership in just 18 months."

Text reads "Ninety-three percent of Americans who weighed in said protect these programs. The National Fair Housing Alliance led a coalition of 78 civil rights organizations who also opposed this rule during the same public comment period."

Text reads "The federal agency that was built to protect consumers from discriminatory lending practices ignored their concerns."

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

June is #PrideMonth, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and recognition of the ongoing struggle for equal rights. But HUD is trying to eliminate anti-discrimination protections for transgender people experiencing homelessness. Learn how you can fight back: equalrightscenter.org/equal-access...

equalrightscenter.org

HUD Proposal Endangers Transgender People Experiencing Homelessness – Equal Rights Center

On April 28, 2026, HUD proposed a rule to eliminate anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals at federally funded shelters.

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

HUD is officially accepting public comments on the Trump admin’s proposal to repeal the Equal Access Rule! The Equal Access Rule helps prevent housing discrimination against LGBTQI+ people. Submit a comment urging HUD to preserve the rule here: transequality.org/earcomment

Text reads "The Trump Administration is attacking housing protections for LGBTQ+ people: We need your help to fight back."

Text reads "This week, the Trump Administration has proposed the repeal of the Equal Access Rule, which guarantees equal access to government-funded housing programs—including homeless and domestic violence shelters—regardless of a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status."

Text reads "How can you help? Submit a comment before June 29th and share why equal access to housing for LGBTQ+ people is important to you."

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The Equal Rights Center @equalrightscntr.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Banks can now signal to entire neighborhoods that credit isn't for them — legally. Programs that helped families build wealth? Discouraged. No explanation. ERC stands with @natfairhouse.bsky.social. Fight back. #FairHousingIsTheLaw

Text reads "Digital redlining must be stopped."

Text reads "Special purpose credit programs helped people of all races access homeownership. This allowed families to begin building generational wealth."

Text reads "The CFPB's new rule discourages the use of these critical programs. There's no policy rationale or regard for the families who depend on this support."

Text reads "We're joining the National Fair Housing Alliance in fighting back against this attack. Stand with us."

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