Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and a coalition of 21 Democrat attorneys general are opposing the Trump administration’s effort to end discrimination in the marketing of affordable housing.
Mayes’ opposition was announced after Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner said last week that the Department is “examining ways to slash burdensome regulations that stifle the private sector’s ability to innovate and build much-needed housing supply.”
For far too long, the federal government has been a burden, not a partner, to our private sector.
We are examining ways to slash burdensome regulations that stifle the private sector’s ability to innovate and build much-needed housing supply. pic.twitter.com/nnchQ369OZ
— Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) July 2, 2025
Mayes and her cohorts sent a letter to the Office of General Counsel for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in opposition to a proposed rule that would end fair housing regulations that required targeted marketing of affordable housing based on race.
Although the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability, current regulations are designed to ensure that federally assisted housing providers do not market available housing to “only certain groups as had been done in the past to maintain racially segregated neighborhoods;” meaning whites.
Mayes and company argue that they “hold a vested interest in ensuring equal access to housing and eradicating discrimination in communities nationwide.”
They argue that the “national housing crisis is driven by a shortage of housing supply and skyrocketing unaffordability that disproportionately affects communities of color. The highest disparities are experienced by Black households — a byproduct of systemic racism and policies that targeted Black people and neighborhoods home to primarily Black people. Data on fair housing complaints confirm that proactive fair housing measures, including in advertising, are as vital as ever. In 2023, record high levels of fair housing complaints were submitted to HUD, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other fair housing organizations; the annual number of complaints has consistently risen.”
In the letter, the attorneys general argue that the “proposed repeal of these longstanding regulations is in direct contradiction with the mandate of the Fair Housing Act — to affirmatively further fair housing through ensuring non-discriminatory marketing practices.”
HUD asserts that “requiring private parties to sort individuals by race and engage in outreach based on race” runs contrary to the “raceneutral and purely prohibitory requirements of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.” HUD also asserts that for these same reasons, the AFHM Regulations are inconsistent with Executive Order 11063.49, which was issued by President John F. Kennedy on November 20, 1962. It aimed to prevent discrimination in housing based on race, color, creed, or national origin. Specifically, it prohibited such discrimination in the sale, rental, or other disposition of residential property owned or operated by the federal government or provided with federal funds.
Critics say that Mayes and her cohorts are clearly advocating for discriminatory marketing by arguing that the marketing be aimed at individuals based on race, color, creed, or national origin.
“We’re never going to fix the affordable housing crisis by pushing radical left-wing identity politics,” stated Arizona State Majority Leader Representative Michael Carbone. “Taxpayer-funded programs should serve all Americans fairly—not pick winners and losers based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. The Trump administration is right to stand up for equal treatment under the law. It’s shameful that Attorney General Mayes would rather play politics and protect discrimination than fight for real solutions that help everyone.”
Mayes joins the attorneys general of California, Maryland, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
Clearly AG Mayes didn’t declare her obstructionist plan using and abusing Arizona taxpayer funds when she ran for attorney general! I could see back then she wasn’t sincere in saying she would represent ALL Arizonans. It really doesn’t matter what the issue, policy, or plan is. Mayes and her chief of staff are part of the “democracy forward” leftist movement trying to divide America. When President Trump’s admin develops a policy or reimagines the way a federal agency could better serve ALL Americans- the deranged leftist, along with the legacy media build a negative narrative hoping to influence the least among us. Arizonans needs to get their heads on straight and look at who benefits from dividing our nation. Certainly, not the public. The legacy media created the red/ blue divide labels and leftists are driving it home with every chance they get. This country is and should always remain the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 🇺🇸. It’s up to each of us to understand our responsibilities as a free citizen in America.
the ‘list of states’ is the list of states is it not; So the GI Bill does not work in those states? The GI Bill is open to all – works fine – worked for ‘this vet’ my first house for 650.00 and don’t miss the payments.. That houses have gone from 25,000 to 450,000 for the same house over 50 years is what? Exclusionary – I’d not be buying my own house now.. nor my first house – so it’s home prices that do limit homes availability. How is that problem ‘addressed’ The GI Bill is not racial – Why do neighborhoods become racial in ‘color’? Black – Mexican – Philippine – Indian.. etc. CHOICE – not limitation. Mays is a communist ich that won’t go away without being removed with her ilk.
Not surprising really when you think about it. If it’s discriminatory they’re all for it so the professional victims and go in and sue over it
The Federal Government’s only concern on housing should be safety, not the color of the owner. These letter writing gaggles of self important Attorneys are tilting at windmills on our tax dollars.