News  Healey-Driscoll Administration focuses on fair housing as Trump Administration rolls back housing discrimination enforcement

SPRINGFIELD — Last week, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) convened the first in a series of regional listening sessions to guide and inform the fair housing policies and programming, which seeks to prevent discrimination in housing. These listening sessions are hosted by the administration’s new Office of Fair Housing. 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is doing everything we can to increase housing production and bring down costs for all residents. But as we confront the state’s housing shortage, it is essential that we lead with fair housing principles,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “One year ago, we could not have imagined that the Federal government would turn so sharply away from proven fair housing work – bolstering the state’s fair housing practices is more urgent now than ever before.” 

The Trump Administration has taken multiple steps to weaken fair housing enforcement under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Trump Administration has proposed to roll back the use of disparate impact as a civil rights enforcement tool, has ended the ‘affirmatively furthering fair housing’ rule implemented to ensure HUD-funded projects work to end segregation, and last month during the government shutdown, the Administration took steps to fire more than 100 staff at HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity who work to prevent housing discrimination nationwide. 

The Massachusetts Office of Fair Housing at HLC was created by the Affordable Homes Act to advance fair housing across the state through enforcement, testing, outreach and education in collaboration.  

Massachusetts fair housing law, which is enforced by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and the Attorney General, prohibits discrimination in any housing related transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, disability, genetic information, military status, familial status, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income, and gender identity or expression. EOHLC currently provides support to fair housing initiatives, including those led by the Fair Housing Alliance of Massachusetts (FHAM). 

“This work is about more than compliance, it’s about collaboration. By listening to communities across Massachusetts, we’re ensuring that fair housing policy and investments, including resources from the new Fair Housing Trust Fund, are informed by real experiences on the ground,” said Whitney Demetrius, Director of the HLC Office of Fair Housing. “The momentum from MetroWest sets the tone for what’s ahead as we continue to build a more equitable and inclusive housing future statewide.” 

Earlier this year Governor Healey signed the FY2025 Supplemental Budget which included $1 million in funding directed to the Fair Housing Trust, also created by the Affordable Homes Act. 

The MetroWest area listening session was hosted in partnership with Metro West Collaborative Development and the City of Newton. The session convened more than 60 community members, advocates, and state and municipal leaders to share insights about the challenges and opportunities that define housing access in the Metro West region. 

Statements from Attendees and Fair Housing Partners: 

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller 
“Our community is totally committed to fair housing, so we felt honored to host the first Fair Housing Listening Session in the Commonwealth.” 

Caitlin Madden, Executive Director of Metro West Collaborative Development 
"Fair housing is not a side issue — it’s a cornerstone of equity, community, and opportunity. At Metro West CD, we’ve spent decades working to make that principle a reality in our region — by building and preserving affordable homes, educating landlords, empowering tenants, and advocating for systems that open doors instead of closing them. The creation of the new Office of Fair Housing is a vital step toward turning our shared ideals into lasting action and to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has the ability to live in the community of their choice." 

Andrew Espinosa, Deputy Chief of Investigations, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) 
"The MCAD is excited to work with the Office of Fair Housing, EOHLC, and our community partners to advance equal housing opportunities across Massachusetts. We are fortunate to live in a state with strong anti-discrimination laws and a deep commitment to civil rights. Despite current challenges, the MCAD is still open for business and steadfast in fighting for fair housing for all residents." 

Staisha Chavis, Deputy Division Chief, Consumer Advocacy and Response Division, Office of the Attorney General
“The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office remains committed to a proactive enforcement and prevention-based approach to advancing fair housing across the Commonwealth. I look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to ensure every resident in Massachusetts has access to fair and equitable housing opportunities. While I enjoyed sharing a few words about the AGO’s fair housing efforts, the best part of the day was hearing directly from residents about their needs and vision for Massachusetts. Such thoughtful dialogue and insights came out of the breakout groups. Truly inspiring collaboration in action!” 

Esther Schlorholtz, member of the Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership and former Chair of the Newton Fair Housing Committee 
“Newton has a long history of seeking to promote Fair Housing and create affordable housing.  We know that all our communities thrive when everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity and choice in where they live. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and the Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership (the Partnership) were especially pleased that Newton hosted the First Fair Housing Regional Listening Session as part of the launch of the new Massachusetts Office of Fair Housing. Funding for training and discrimination testing, helping the most vulnerable people harmed by federal funding cuts, and the need to expand by-right zoning and encourage state-wide zoning policies that facilitate more affordable housing, were among the key issues raised.” 

Kristina da Fonseca, Executive Director of SouthCoast Fair Housing Center and member of the Fair Housing Alliance of Massachusetts 
"The Fair Housing Alliance of Massachusetts (FHAM) was pleased to participate in the first Regional Fair Housing Listening Session. Conversations among residents, state agencies, and community organizations are critical to ensuring that fair housing rights are ensured in every community across the Commonwealth.  We thank EOHLC and its Office of Fair Housing for driving these necessary conversations, helping build further connections, and strengthening fair housing and civil rights in Massachusetts.” 

Upcoming Listening Sessions: 

The MetroWest fair housing listening session was the first in a series of sessions to be held in communities across the state. The next listening session will be in Hampden County and will be hosted in partnership with WayFinders in Springfield, MA on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. 

More information on upcoming regional listening sessions can be found on the Office of Fair Housing’s webpage.