Donovan: HUD Programs Open to All, Regardless of Sexual Orientation

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan has proposed an initiative designed to ensure its "core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity." The proposed rule will be open to public comment. In addition, HUD said it would commission the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the rental and sale of housing. Mr. Donovan said evidence shows "some are denied the opportunity to make housing choices in our nation based on who they are and that must end." Few state and local studies exist, HUD said, but for example, a study by Michigan's Fair Housing Centers found that nearly 30% of same-sex couples were treated differently when attempting to buy or rent a home. The goal, HUD said, is to clarify that the term "family" as used to describe eligible beneficiaries of its public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs to include otherwise eligible LGBT individuals and couples. Plus, it will require HUD programs' participants to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws; and require that any FHA-insured mortgage loan must be based on the credit-worthiness of a borrower, not their sexual identity.