Have you used AI for AFFH compliance?
As housing professionals, we recognize the importance of affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) as mandated by the Civil Rights Act. This obligation goes beyond simply avoiding discrimination. It requires taking meaningful actions to:
- overcome segregation,
- promote inclusivity,
- and ensure access to opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
In today’s digital age, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is becoming an increasingly powerful tool in the affordable housing industry. It offers innovative ways to manage demographics, waiting lists, and outreach to those “least likely to apply.” However, as housing software companies integrate AI, it’s crucial to align its use with AFFH requirements. We must do so responsibly.
Implications of AI for AFFH compliance
Before diving into AI best practices, it is important to revisit what AFFH entails. The Fair Housing Act requires HUD and its recipients to take proactive steps to:
- combat discrimination,
- reduce segregation,
- and foster inclusive communities.
This mandate affects all HUD-funded programs and activities. It requirEs fair housing planning, affirmative marketing, and a commitment to addressing inequities among protected class groups.
HUD’s current implementation of AFFH, including the 2021 Interim Final Rule, emphasizes the need for grantees to demonstrate their commitment to furthering fair housing through certifications and planning processes. As we incorporate AI into our housing operations, we must ensure that these technologies align with these obligations.
Best Practices for Using AI in Housing Software
- AI for Demographic Analysis and Reporting. AI can be a valuable tool for analyzing and reporting demographic data. You can use AI to assess segregation patterns or disparities in access to housing opportunities. This allows you to target interventions and take meaningful actions to promote integration more effectively.
Best Practice. Regularly review and update your demographic data using AI-driven tools to ensure that your housing programs meet the needs of diverse populations. Use this data to inform your AFFH planning and decision-making processes.
- Optimizing Waiting Lists with AI. Managing waiting lists efficiently is crucial in affordable housing, particularly when it comes to ensuring equitable access for protected classes. AI can help streamline list management by identifying trends, predicting turnover, and providing priority placements aligned with fair housing goals.
Best Practice: Implement AI solutions within your housing software to analyze waiting list data to identify potential disparities or biases. Ensure that your waiting list management practices are transparent and promote equity among all applicants, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
- Affirmative Marketing and Reaching Those ‘Least Likely to Apply.’ One of the AFFH requirements is to conduct affirmative marketing to reach individuals who are “least likely to apply.” AI can help target these groups more effectively by analyzing patterns in application data and identifying gaps in outreach efforts.
Best Practice: Use AI-driven marketing tools to design and implement campaigns targeting underrepresented populations. Ensure your advertising reaches diverse communities and your messaging is inclusive and culturally sensitive.
- Ensuring Fairness and Transparency in AI Algorithms. While AI offers significant advantages, it’s essential to recognize the risks of potential biases in AI algorithms. These biases can inadvertently perpetuate discrimination or segregation, undermining AFFH goals. Therefore, ensuring fairness and transparency in AI processes is essential.
Best Practice: Regularly audit and test your AI algorithms for biases, particularly those related to race, gender, disability, or familial status. Implement mechanisms to adjust or correct any identified biases. This ensures that your AI-driven decisions are fair and compliant with fair housing laws.
- Data Privacy and Compliance. As you integrate AI into your housing software, safeguarding data privacy is paramount. AI tools often require access to sensitive data. It’s crucial to ensure that this data is protected and used in compliance with legal privacy guidelines.
Best Practice: Establish strict data privacy protocols for AI use, ensuring that all personal information is securely stored and processed. Avoid entering sensitive data into open AI platforms that may not comply with HUD’s privacy requirements. Instead, use housing-specific AI tools designed to protect tenant information and comply with legal standards.
Harnessing AI Responsibly to Advance Fair Housing Goals
AI has the potential to revolutionize how we manage affordable housing, from demographic analysis to waiting list management and affirmative marketing. However, with this potential comes the responsibility to ensure that AI is used in ways that support AFFH compliance and promote equity in housing opportunities.
By following these best practices, housing professionals can harness the power of AI to make meaningful progress toward the goals of the Fair Housing Act—creating inclusive, integrated communities where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.
For more insights into AI and fair housing, revisit our April blog on HUD’s new AI guidance here.
