Bernice King has raised concerns that decades of efforts to address housing inequities could be undermined due to funding cuts by the Trump administration. The administration has reduced funding for housing projects and is also attempting to cut resources for nonprofits that handle housing discrimination complaints.
King, who serves as the CEO of The King Center and is the youngest daughter of civil rights figures Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, expressed her worries to The Associated Press. She noted that while residential segregation has decreased since her father’s era, there is a risk of regressing to the levels seen in the 1950s and 1960s. King warned that discrimination could become more prevalent if preventive measures are weakened.
In February, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) halted millions of dollars in grants intended for nonprofits dealing with housing discrimination issues. Although a judge has temporarily paused these terminations, HUD indicated that the targeted funding includes language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A HUD official stated that the department remains committed to upholding the Fair Housing Act and addressing discrimination, noting that no changes in staffing at HUD have been announced.
King criticized the tactics used by the administration against DEI initiatives, describing them as reminiscent of historical strategies aimed at dividing communities and maintaining societal hierarchies.
Continuing to advocate for the end of housing discrimination, King frequently emphasizes her father’s legacy of pushing for economic equality. For instance, she recently spoke at the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, close to where Habitat for Humanity is constructing a new condominium named after Martin Luther King Jr. The 58-unit complex is situated on Martin Luther King Jr. Way in King County, also named in his honor, and will be sold at affordable prices.
Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Seattle Habitat, explained that naming the building after Dr. King provides an opportunity to discuss racial equity in housing. This effort aligns with Habitat for Humanity’s campaign “Home is the Key,” which raises awareness about fair housing in memory of the Fair Housing Act’s enactment.
Reflecting on the past, Bernice King recalled her family’s 1966 move to a heatless third-floor apartment in Chicago, where Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned against discriminatory housing practices that burdened Black residents with higher rent for substandard conditions compared to white tenants. His efforts in Chicago included addressing large crowds and leading a march to City Hall, culminating in the Fair Housing Act’s signing soon after his assassination in 1968. The law aims to prevent race-based and other forms of discrimination in housing.
King stated in Seattle that the dream of fair and equitable housing has yet to be fulfilled. She stressed that weakening the law’s provisions would undermine the commitment and sacrifices made to achieve it.
Despite progress, significant disparities in homeownership among Black, Hispanic, and white Americans remain, as highlighted in reports by Harvard and the National Fair Housing Alliance. Housing discrimination complaints reached a record high of 34,000 in 2023, with many related to rental issues and disability discrimination.
Diane Levy, a housing researcher at the Urban Institute, expressed concern that reduced nonprofit funding could limit future avenues for reporting fair housing complaints. She noted the psychological toll that overt discrimination can take and its impact on housing, work, and educational opportunities.
Furthermore, Levy mentioned the ending of federal protections against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In light of these challenges, Bernice King emphasized the need for creativity and determination in combating discrimination. She acknowledged the increased efforts required by advocates fighting for freedom, justice, and equality.
This article originally appeared on Fortune.com.
