Program areas at National Fair Housing Alliance
Education and communications: nfha's education program informs consumers about their rights and how to recognize and report possible discrimination. It also teaches Housing providers about their obligations under the law and benefits of expanding Fair Housing choice.
Tech equity: the tech equity initiative is a multi-faceted effort designed to eliminate bias in algorithmic-based systems used in Housing and financial services, increase transparency and explainability for ai tools, outline ethical standards for responsible tech, advanceeffective policies for regulating ai tools, and increase diversity and inclusion in the tech field. The goal is to have our "gold standard" of algorithmic fairness adopted by regulators, developers, and consumers of ai-based systems.since its inception, nfha's tech equity team developed a variety of solutions for creating responsible technologies that benefit consumers. These include frontdoor, an interactive web service to assist tenants who are seeking assistance through rental assistance programs. Frontdoor helps significantly shorten the application process by connecting tenants with programs for which they are eligible and helping them prepare the paperwork they need in order to apply for assistance.
Enforcement: nfha conducts investigations into systemic Housing discrimination in rental, real estate and mortgage lending with the sole purpose of resolving and remedying acts of discrimination. These efforts are designed to halt violations of the law, provide compensation to victims of discrimination and communities harmed by discrimination and prevent future discrimination. In recent years, nfha brought or settled cases addressing discrimination in the maintenance of foreclosed properties; the provision of insurance for multi-family properties that rent to low-income persons who are mostly people of color; mortgage lending for latino applicants; and income discrimination. Additionally, nfha reached a settlement agreement with an assisted living provider and the largest third-party property management company in the nation for campus living, opening access to Housing for thousands of families and individuals.
Public policy: nfha plays a pivotal role in providing important research and information to policy-makers and regulators. Nfha supports policy initiatives that advance our goals of eliminating discrimination in Housing and expanding equal access to homeownership opportunities. Some key public policy accomplishments include restoring critical Fair Housing and lending rules to advance racial justice and fairness for all; helping to generate 70 percent of the public comments in favor of the department of Housing and urban development's affirmatively furthering Fair action proposed rule; and leading advocacy efforts to make the case for systemic reforms of the home valuation process.
Community development: nfha engages in community development activities in underserved communities harmed by discriminatory practices by providing grants that go to organizations that directly serve families, individuals, and neighborhoods that have been harmed by discrimination. These grants also help to shape neighborhoods into inclusive, thriving communities. The grant funds were obtained from settlements of lawsuits that challenged systemic discrimination by homeowners insurance companies, major multi-family Housing providers, and banks and investors that own a large quantity of foreclosed properties (real estate owned or reo).
Member services: nfha provides technical assistance to member organizations; advocates on behalf of members on a range of issues; conducts extensive training programs in the form of webinars, in-service events, conferences and its Fair Housing school (r) training program; and collaborates with members on regional and National systemic investigations. These efforts are designed to build capacity for providing assistance to victims of discrimination and to improve proficiency of education and enforcement efforts at the local level.
Training & consulting: nfha helps companies in the Housing industry establish internal systems and practices that ensure they do not illegally discriminate. This work includes providing training, testing and other compliance services to the Housing, lending, insurance and technology industries. Compliance work includes reviewing all corporate policies, procedures and underwriting; developing specialized Fair Housing training programs; ongoing consulting and advice; and self-testing services.
Keys unlock dreams: the keys unlock dreams initiative (kudi) is a nationwide initiative led by the National Fair Housing Alliance (nfha) designed to achieve five major goals:1. Remove structural barriers that perpetuate racial inequality;2. Expand affordable and Fair Housing options;3. Prevent an unbalanced recovery from the covid-19 pandemic;4. Empower consumers and stakeholders with critical information and resources; and5. Help close the racial wealth and homeownership gaps.kudi promotes programs and products supporting sustainable mortgages for affordable Housing. It also advances programs that create sustainable inclusive communities. The keys unlock dreams initiative connects consumers and other stakeholders with important resources and events to educate people about Fair Housing and Fair credit opportunities to create vibrant, inclusive communities.