Rep. Israel Statement Supporting the Proposed HUD Rule on Equal Access to Housing for LGBT Americans

Press Release

On Thursday, Rep. Steve Israel (D -- New York) issued a statement supporting a proposed rule put forward by the Department of Housing and Urban Develop that would prohibit lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine a borrower's eligibility for FHA-insured mortgage financing. Last Congress, Rep. Israel introduced the Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act, which will close gaps in the current law and prohibit discrimination in all credit transactions on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Israel plans to re-introduce the bill this Congress.

"I applaud the Department of Housing and Urban Development for taking action on an important human rights issue. The last thing anyone should have to worry about when applying for a home loan is their sexual orientation or gender identity getting in the way. I've introduced legislation to stop this type of discrimination for all credit transactions. I fully support HUD's proposed rule and look forward to seeing it finalized and enforced," said Rep. Israel.

Currently, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from discriminating in any credit transaction because of someone's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or whether he or she receives public assistance. The Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the characteristics upon which discrimination is prohibited. Everyone who participates in the decision to grant credit or in setting the terms of that credit, including real estate brokers who arrange financing, would have to comply with the prohibition on discrimination in Rep. Israel's bill. That means a wide variety of lending is covered by Rep. Israel's proposal, including: student loans, mortgages, small business loans, personal loans, and credit card transactions.

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