HUD seeks comment on LGBT housing discrimination

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development on Wednesday launched a website allowing public comment for a national study on LGBT discrimination in housing accomodation.

On the website, HUD states a national study on discrimination against LGBT people in the sale and rental of housing has never been conducted, although state and local studies “have suggested this sort of bias exists.”

Leading the study will be Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary of housing and urban development for policy development and research. In a statement, he said it’s critical for researchers to hear from people ”who may have been denied housing based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“The comments we received in our town hall meetings, and those we will gather from this new website, will help inform how we might test for housing discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on LBGT status,” he said.

In addition to seeking comment on the website, HUD has held a series of town halls to hear potential stories of discrimination. Events have taken place in Chicago, San Francisco and New York City.

Last week, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation that would amend the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill is pending before the House Judiciary Committee.