The Equal Rights Center
@equalrightscntr.bsky.social
We use civil rights testing to uncover and combat discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
Learn more: https://equalrightscenter.org/
Learn more: https://equalrightscenter.org/
"It’s a uniquely scary time. Even AI enthusiasts admit the potential for these systems to replicate & intensify discrimination against marginalized groups. That’s why I was so grateful to be reminded of the power we have to hold these technologies accountable." equalrightscenter.org/most-importa...
ERC v. Meta is “the most important tech case flying under the radar”: Offers a “road map for algorithmic fairness” – Equal Rights Center
ERC provides a road map for algorithmic fairness and accountability at a time when the federal government is abandoning civil rights protections.
equalrightscenter.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
"It’s a uniquely scary time. Even AI enthusiasts admit the potential for these systems to replicate & intensify discrimination against marginalized groups. That’s why I was so grateful to be reminded of the power we have to hold these technologies accountable." equalrightscenter.org/most-importa...
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau plans to propose rolling back a key part of civil-rights era fair-lending regulations. Curbing disparate impact liability removes a tool used to prevent policies that disproportionately harm certain groups, like people of color or women.
www.reuters.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau plans to propose rolling back a key part of civil-rights era fair-lending regulations. Curbing disparate impact liability removes a tool used to prevent policies that disproportionately harm certain groups, like people of color or women.
If you have a visible disability and an obvious need for a service animal (like a seeing-eye dog), landlords cannot require you to submit additional documentation to verify your disability or disability-related need. An ERC investigation revealed Maryland landlords may be violating the law.
November 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
If you have a visible disability and an obvious need for a service animal (like a seeing-eye dog), landlords cannot require you to submit additional documentation to verify your disability or disability-related need. An ERC investigation revealed Maryland landlords may be violating the law.
Alice Wong was a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on the disability justice movement. Her legacy lives on in her work to ensure that people with disabilities are represented, as seen in the Disability Visibility Project. Alice's powerful words & relentless advocacy will be greatly missed.
Disability Visibility Project
"Creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture"
disabilityvisibilityproject.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Alice Wong was a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on the disability justice movement. Her legacy lives on in her work to ensure that people with disabilities are represented, as seen in the Disability Visibility Project. Alice's powerful words & relentless advocacy will be greatly missed.
Reposted by The Equal Rights Center
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. n.pr/47WGe0m
Disability rights activist and author Alice Wong dies at 51
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels.
n.pr
November 16, 2025 at 4:41 AM
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. n.pr/47WGe0m
The ERC's lawsuit against Meta "provides a road map for algorithmic fairness and accountability at a time when the federal government is abandoning civil rights protections," @dbrody.bsky.social writes for @brookings.edu www.brookings.edu/articles/equ...
Equal Rights Center v. Meta is the most important tech case flying under the radar | Brookings
David Brody discusses how a new decision provides a model for how states and advocates can use state laws to protect civil rights amid AI.
www.brookings.edu
November 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The ERC's lawsuit against Meta "provides a road map for algorithmic fairness and accountability at a time when the federal government is abandoning civil rights protections," @dbrody.bsky.social writes for @brookings.edu www.brookings.edu/articles/equ...
A federal judge has ordered the White House to immediately begin providing American Sign Language interpretation at its press briefings. The White House stopped using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events in January when Trump began his term.
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
U.S. appeals order to use American Sign Language interpreters at White House briefings
The Justice Department is appealing an order for the White House to provide ASL interpretation during press briefings given by the press secretary or President Trump.
www.npr.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A federal judge has ordered the White House to immediately begin providing American Sign Language interpretation at its press briefings. The White House stopped using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events in January when Trump began his term.
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
Despite the shutdown, Senate Democrats are reportedly gauging support for a spending package that would provide more funding for HUD programs, but still not enough to support existing housing voucher programs, putting families at risk of losing their rental assistance. nlihc.org/resource/sen...
Senate Democrats Gauge Support for Three-Bill Spending Package that Would Include HUD FY26 Funding—Take Action!
By Kim Johnson, NLIHC Senior Director of Policy Despite the impasse around a temporary measure to fund federal programs and services, Senate Democrats are reportedly gauging members’ support for a thr...
nlihc.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Despite the shutdown, Senate Democrats are reportedly gauging support for a spending package that would provide more funding for HUD programs, but still not enough to support existing housing voucher programs, putting families at risk of losing their rental assistance. nlihc.org/resource/sen...
NFHA’s 2025 Fair Housing Trends Report reveals a sharp increase in discrimination, with 32,000+ fair housing complaints filed in 2024. Despite this, recent HUD firings and federal funding cuts to organizations have weakened fair housing enforcement.
nationalfairhousing.org/resource/202...
nationalfairhousing.org/resource/202...
November 6, 2025 at 8:58 PM
NFHA’s 2025 Fair Housing Trends Report reveals a sharp increase in discrimination, with 32,000+ fair housing complaints filed in 2024. Despite this, recent HUD firings and federal funding cuts to organizations have weakened fair housing enforcement.
nationalfairhousing.org/resource/202...
nationalfairhousing.org/resource/202...
Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis used civil rights testing to uncover housing discrimination against prospective tenants. Out of 45 tests that compared treatment of a white tester and a Black tester, 21 found evidence of discrimination against the Black tester.
mlk50.com/2025/10/09/m...
mlk50.com/2025/10/09/m...
Memphis ‘secret shoppers’ uncover housing discrimination in nearly half of properties tested
A Memphis nonprofit has uncovered evidence of widespread housing discrimination in the city — much of it based on race. The Fair Housing Council of
mlk50.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis used civil rights testing to uncover housing discrimination against prospective tenants. Out of 45 tests that compared treatment of a white tester and a Black tester, 21 found evidence of discrimination against the Black tester.
mlk50.com/2025/10/09/m...
mlk50.com/2025/10/09/m...
Recently, D.C. Council passed the RENTAL Act. Advocates say it decimates tenant protections by fast-tracking evictions & creating exemptions from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act. Some Councilmembers admitted that they may not have considered its full consequences.
wamu.org/story/25/09/...
wamu.org/story/25/09/...
The D.C. Council passed a last-minute change to tenants rights laws. Some lawmakers are rethinking their vote
The D.C. Council moved to exempt small apartment buildings from a longstanding law giving renters the right of first refusal to buy their properties if they go up for sale. Some fear the change will h...
wamu.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Recently, D.C. Council passed the RENTAL Act. Advocates say it decimates tenant protections by fast-tracking evictions & creating exemptions from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act. Some Councilmembers admitted that they may not have considered its full consequences.
wamu.org/story/25/09/...
wamu.org/story/25/09/...
HUD is one of the latest agencies hit by layoffs during this government shutdown, and many of the targeted staffers work in fair housing. It's part of a larger shake-up that critics say is undermining HUD's ability to enforce fair housing laws.
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
The latest layoffs at HUD target fair housing investigators around the U.S.
The latest shutdown layoffs at HUD target fair housing investigators around the country. Critics say that'll make it hard to enforce the fair housing laws Congress has passed.
www.npr.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
HUD is one of the latest agencies hit by layoffs during this government shutdown, and many of the targeted staffers work in fair housing. It's part of a larger shake-up that critics say is undermining HUD's ability to enforce fair housing laws.
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
The work of protecting civil rights is at a crossroads, and organizations leading this work face an increasingly hostile environment. Our new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is both a response to the moment and a statement of resolve. Learn how we're building forward: equalrightscenter.org/2025-2028-st...
Holding the Line — and Building Forward: ERC’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan – Equal Rights Center
Our new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is both a response to the moment and a statement of resolve.
equalrightscenter.org
October 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The work of protecting civil rights is at a crossroads, and organizations leading this work face an increasingly hostile environment. Our new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is both a response to the moment and a statement of resolve. Learn how we're building forward: equalrightscenter.org/2025-2028-st...
Last year, 1,869 DC households were evicted from their homes under a court order, the largest increase since before the pandemic. Advocates worry that the newly approved RENTAL Act, which rolls back tenant protections, will intensify the eviction surge.
51st.news/archive/dc-h...
51st.news/archive/dc-h...
D.C. hits record eviction levels
New data shows surging evictions as aid shrinks and tenant protections weaken
51st.news
October 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Last year, 1,869 DC households were evicted from their homes under a court order, the largest increase since before the pandemic. Advocates worry that the newly approved RENTAL Act, which rolls back tenant protections, will intensify the eviction surge.
51st.news/archive/dc-h...
51st.news/archive/dc-h...
Last week, hundreds of HUD staff received layoff notices, with the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity facing the deepest cuts. Staffing shortages and shifting priorities have virtually shut down the agency's ability to investigate complaints of housing discrimination.
HUD Issues Layoff Notices, Targeting Fair Housing Staff With Deep Cuts
Fair housing staffers who investigate claims of housing discrimination at field offices nationwide were among the hundreds of HUD staffers who received layoff notices.
www.bloomberg.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Last week, hundreds of HUD staff received layoff notices, with the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity facing the deepest cuts. Staffing shortages and shifting priorities have virtually shut down the agency's ability to investigate complaints of housing discrimination.
Communities of color & historically redlined areas tend to be overburdened by pollution & underserved by government services. A Maryland environmental justice map removed those factors when race, ethnicity & language data were removed after a Trump admin purge. marylandmatters.org/2025/09/29/m...
Maryland redrew an environmental justice map; polluted communities feel left out - Maryland Matters
A state map showing “environmental justice” communities is back online, after a Trump administration purge of federal data forced its removal. But the new map excludes race, ethnicity and language dat...
marylandmatters.org
October 14, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Communities of color & historically redlined areas tend to be overburdened by pollution & underserved by government services. A Maryland environmental justice map removed those factors when race, ethnicity & language data were removed after a Trump admin purge. marylandmatters.org/2025/09/29/m...
Federal civil rights complaints against schools reached a new high last year: 8,400 allegations of discrimination against students with disabilities. But federal investigations are in limbo after massive cuts to the Education Department workforce.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Disability Bias Complaints Peak as the Office That Investigates Them Is Gutted - KFF Health News
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
kffhealthnews.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Federal civil rights complaints against schools reached a new high last year: 8,400 allegations of discrimination against students with disabilities. But federal investigations are in limbo after massive cuts to the Education Department workforce.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
The Trump administration is preparing to cut off 4 million people from federal housing assistance. Unpublished plans describe sweeping reforms that experts and advocates warn will weaken the social safety net serving some of the nation’s poorest residents.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan
Drafts of unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica detail plans that would open the door to full-time work requirements, two-year limits on living in federally supported housing and stripping aid from...
www.propublica.org
October 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The Trump administration is preparing to cut off 4 million people from federal housing assistance. Unpublished plans describe sweeping reforms that experts and advocates warn will weaken the social safety net serving some of the nation’s poorest residents.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Civil rights lawyers who spoke out about the Trump administration’s efforts to limit enforcement of fair housing laws were removed from their positions at HUD. Their roles involved enforcing the Fair Housing Act by investigating & prosecuting claims of discrimination.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
Two HUD Civil Rights Lawyers Dismissed After Raising Concerns About Fair Housing Act Enforcement
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Civil rights lawyers who spoke out about the Trump administration’s efforts to limit enforcement of fair housing laws were removed from their positions at HUD. Their roles involved enforcing the Fair Housing Act by investigating & prosecuting claims of discrimination.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
Know your rights as a HUD tenant during a government shutdown. If you use a Housing Choice Voucher or live in Public Housing, you should not experience any disruption in your housing, and should continue paying your portion of the rent. More info: www.nhlp.org/wp-content/u...
www.nhlp.org
October 3, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Know your rights as a HUD tenant during a government shutdown. If you use a Housing Choice Voucher or live in Public Housing, you should not experience any disruption in your housing, and should continue paying your portion of the rent. More info: www.nhlp.org/wp-content/u...
Baltimore City is required to fix sidewalks and curb ramps that are hard to use for people with mobility disabilities. You may be able to request specific accommodations.
disabilityrightsmd.org/know-your-ri...
disabilityrightsmd.org/know-your-ri...
Know Your Rights: Baltimore Sidewalks and Curb Ramps - Disability Rights Maryland
Baltimore City has a Partial Consent Decree that says it must fix sidewalks and curb ramps that are hard to use for people with mobility disabilities. As part of this, the City must let people ask for...
disabilityrightsmd.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Baltimore City is required to fix sidewalks and curb ramps that are hard to use for people with mobility disabilities. You may be able to request specific accommodations.
disabilityrightsmd.org/know-your-ri...
disabilityrightsmd.org/know-your-ri...
Whistleblowers say HUD has refused to enforce fair housing laws. ERC joins a coalition of civil rights organizations urging Congress & the HUD Inspector General to ensure HUD fulfills its responsibilities and the nation's fair housing laws are fully enforced.
nationalfairhousing.org/civil-rights...
nationalfairhousing.org/civil-rights...
Civil Rights Coalition Denounces HUD’s Abdication of its Fair Housing Obligations - NFHA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington, D.C.— The following civil and human rights organizations registered their dismay at facts revealed in a whistleblower complaint filed by five employees working at t...
nationalfairhousing.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Whistleblowers say HUD has refused to enforce fair housing laws. ERC joins a coalition of civil rights organizations urging Congress & the HUD Inspector General to ensure HUD fulfills its responsibilities and the nation's fair housing laws are fully enforced.
nationalfairhousing.org/civil-rights...
nationalfairhousing.org/civil-rights...
Current and former HUD employees say Trump appointees have made it nearly impossible for them to do their jobs fighting housing discrimination. “If you’re not enforcing the Fair Housing Act, then it’s just another dead law.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
Trump Appointees Roll Back Enforcement of Fair Housing Laws
www.nytimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Current and former HUD employees say Trump appointees have made it nearly impossible for them to do their jobs fighting housing discrimination. “If you’re not enforcing the Fair Housing Act, then it’s just another dead law.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/r...
The EEOC filed a lawsuit accusing DC Water of discriminating against older employees when it fired them to then hire younger, less experienced hires. The older workers, all over the age of 50, allegedly never received prior performance counseling or warning.
www.wusa9.com/article/news...
www.wusa9.com/article/news...
DC Water sued for age discrimination, accused of replacing older workers with younger and less experienced hires
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is accused of replacing older workers with less qualified younger candidates.
www.wusa9.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The EEOC filed a lawsuit accusing DC Water of discriminating against older employees when it fired them to then hire younger, less experienced hires. The older workers, all over the age of 50, allegedly never received prior performance counseling or warning.
www.wusa9.com/article/news...
www.wusa9.com/article/news...
Reports this week confirmed HUD is rolling back fair housing enforcement in dramatic and deeply damaging ways. ERC Executive Director Kate Scott says civil rights testing at the local level is our best defense now against housing discrimination: equalrightscenter.org/hud-enforcem...
Local Testing Is Our Best Defense Against Housing Discrimination Right Now – Equal Rights Center
Despite waning federal support for fair housing, local jurisdictions in the region have held firm, continuing their testing contracts with the ERC.
equalrightscenter.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reports this week confirmed HUD is rolling back fair housing enforcement in dramatic and deeply damaging ways. ERC Executive Director Kate Scott says civil rights testing at the local level is our best defense now against housing discrimination: equalrightscenter.org/hud-enforcem...