U.S. Suburbs Aren't in Danger

Misbar’s investigation found that the central focus of the supposed battle for America’s suburbs lies with a piece of Obama-era legislation: AFFH (Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing). Passed in 2015, AFFH was an extension of the 1968 Fair Housing Act which was enacted to help eliminate housing segregation/discrimination. There is a long documented history of housing discrimination along racial lines in the United States

In order to discourage housing discrimination, the AFFH requires municipal jurisdictions that receive Community Development Block Grants (usually issued to low-income areas) to report roadblocks to fair housing and the means of circumventing them. Those who do not comply with collecting data on housing discrimination might not recieve federal grants. However, the effective impact of AFFH is arguable, as municipalities did not necessarily have to take any action based on their data.

In 2018 President Trump revoked AFFH. Conservatives have complimented this measure as a way of preserving local governance and the “American Dream,” while liberals argued that it was a blatant endorsement of racial segregation. Naturally, as it was passed under his Vice Presidency, Joe Biden endorses the reinstatement of AFFH.

However, despite the claims of Trump and the McCloskeys, AFFH does not eliminate single-family zoning. In only one case did AFFH affect zoning whatsoever. If AFFH were to be reenacted it is questionable whether or not it would have any impact at all, much less as the harbinger of doom for suburban families.