For more on the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. case, see our previous posts.
Inside the Supreme Court of the United States this morning, arguments began in a crucial fair housing case. Outside on the steps, braving the cold, supporters rallied to remind the justices of the dire need to #KeepHousingFair for all Americans.
The first day of oral arguments showcased some misunderstanding and ambiguity about disparate impact, the portion of the Fair Housing Act at issue in the case, especially on the part of Justice Scalia. But the message outside was clear – disparate impact is vital to reducing segregation and providing equal opportunity in housing.
@Sifill_LDF @NAACP_LDF Its appropriate that SCOTUS considers the Fair Housing Act right after MLK holiday. pic.twitter.com/8lRecPIXho
— Christina Swarns (@ChristinaSwarns) January 21, 2015
"FHA was intended to protect against discrimination AND segregation." – Jorge Soto of @natfairhouse #KeepHousingFair http://t.co/btVfVjvTdB
— National Fair Housing Alliance (@natfairhouse) January 21, 2015
The message has been broadcast by civil rights groups over the past week through the #KeepHousingFair campaign. Groups like the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Fair Housing Alliance, NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights led the rally this morning and continue to raise the public’s awareness about the need for disparate impact.
Wow. This family was denied a mortgage because they were pregnant w/ their 2nd child. #KeepHousingFair #fairhousing pic.twitter.com/VkjAbd7Jtx
— James Perry (@jameshperry) January 21, 2015
Discrimiation is usually not overt. Disparate impact must stand. #KeepHousingFair pic.twitter.com/PAZRvBhgLK
— Linda Couch (@lowincomelinda) January 21, 2015
Let’s hope the justices inside were listening.
