Behind the Scenes: Notes from the Executive Director’s Desk

Local Testing Is Our Best Defense Against Housing Discrimination Right Now

By: Kate Scott
September 26, 2025

This week’s news cycle has been particularly brutal for those of us who care about fair housing. Reporting from The New York Times confirmed what many of us already suspected was true: Trump appointees at HUD are rolling back enforcement of federal fair housing laws in dramatic and deeply damaging ways.  A September 16 memo from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity confirms the roll back in great detail, purporting to rescind basic guidance that we have relied on for decades.   

Like many of you, I’ve been searching for reasons to maintain a sense of hope during such a dark time for our country. This week, I found that hope in the fair housing testing many local jurisdictions across Greater Washington contract ERC to conduct. Today, I’m taking the opportunity to highlight it in hopes that it can have the same buoyant effect for you. We may also need your help to preserve these commitments soon! 

Despite waning federal support for ERC’s fair housing work over the last eight months, local jurisdictions in the region like Fairfax and Montgomery counties have held firm, continuing their testing contracts with ERC. As a result, we’ll be able to identify ongoing patterns of discrimination and work in partnership with local communities to hold bad actors accountable. This local investment aligns with the Regional Fair Housing Plan, which eight jurisdictions worked together to release in 2023: the Plan repeatedly recommends additional testing to achieve the region’s housing equity goals.  

This stability reflects a laudable, enduring commitment to fair housing values in the region. It reminds us that even in the most challenging circumstances, we can still find ways to live out our values and defend fair housing. As a leader, I see part of my role as steadfastly insisting that we continue to make the most of such opportunities.  

But I also need to be candid: this stability is fragile. If federal priorities continue to shift, it’s only a matter of time before local jurisdictions feel the financial pinch. When budgets tighten, fair housing enforcement could be on the chopping block.  

That’s where you come in. Your voice will be critical in urging local leaders to continue investing in testing programs to keep our communities fair and inclusive. 

When the time comes, will we be able to count on you to speak up for fair housing? 

Yours in the pursuit of justice,
Kate