My work is reliant on the data collected on housing disparities. I use this data to see if Americans in some parts of our cities, regions, and country are unable to reach critical needs like health care, jobs, groceries, and schools. With this information, we can improve transportation and access to these critical facilities and actually make the lives of Americans better.
Legislation has continually been introduced in the House and Senate that limits data availability for city, regional and rural planning (for example, prior amendments to make the American Community Survey voluntary). Such limitations hurt my profession, but furthermore, hurt the American people. Thousands of professionals, civil servants, and students regularly use this data and rely on it to support their work and their livelihoods. Their work is to identify ways to help improve the lives of Americans.
Furthermore, the information collected through "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing," which S.B. 103 intends to eliminate, works directly to increase accountability for HUD funding and ensure those monies support the reduction of housing disparities. By rolling back the "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing," our country is at risk of hurting people who are already in very vulnerable situations.
Please heed my concerns and represent me as well as protect the interests of our country.