The Department of Housing and Urban Development unveiled a series of proposed rules on Thursday designed to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals from discrimination when applying for federal housing assistance.
The HUD proposal marks the latest in a string of Obama administration attempts to enhance gay rights through federal regulation, which may offer a way forward for advocates who worry that legislative efforts have little hope of success this year.
Citing reports that LGBT individuals and families "are being arbitrarily excluded from some housing opportunities in the private sector," the proposed regulation would prohibit lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity to determine a borrower's eligibility for Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgage financing.
Owners and operators of HUD-assisted housing -- or housing whose financing is insured by HUD -- would also be barred from inquiring about the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant.
"This is a fundamental issue of fairness," HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said in a statement. "We have a responsibility to make certain that public programs are open to all Americans. With this proposed rule, we will make clear that a person's eligibility for federal housing programs is, and should be, based on their need and not on their sexual orientation or gender identity."
The HUD announcement comes just two days after new regulations granting LGBT Americans and their families more control over hospital visitation rights went into effect. On April 15, President Barack Obama directed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to initiate that rulemaking process.
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