New U.S. housing rules aim to end segregation

WASHINGTON, July 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Wednesday new housing regulations meant to ensure equal housing practices in both rich and poor neighborhoods.

By bringing more affordable housing to affluent areas and gentrifying poorer ones, the regulations aim to end decades of housing segregation across the country.

The regulations were part of an executive order by the Obama administration and involve providing open data and mapping tools customized to specific housing jurisdictions, allotting more time for housing jurisdictions applying for HUD grants for the first time. Schools, parks and transportation routes will be upgraded in poorer neighborhoods.

Critics argue that the housing problems the regulations aim to fix are problems best left to local communities. They add that the rules will allow HUD staff to decide on their own if a given town deserves funding based on an ideal racial and income distribution.

Supporters, on the other hand, say that the regulations will help individuals who feel their future is defined by their ZIP code.

HUD Secretary Julian Castro will give a speech in Chicago to expand on the rules.