Perspectives on Fair Housing: Gender

The sixth and final panel in the Perspectives on Fair Housing Series acknowledged the many groups not protected by the FHA and focused on how future fair housing efforts can place greater emphasis on the issues of gender and sexual identity. The panel featured Devin Michelle Bunten, Edward H. and Joyce Linde Assistant Professor of Urban Economics and Housing, MIT; Amy Hillier, Associate Professor, School of Social Policy & Practice and Associate Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Weitzman School of Design; and Kerbie Joseph, Community Organizer, ANSWER Coalition.

Hillier opened with her thoughts on the intersection of housing and LGBTQ issues, inviting the audience to interrogate “how racism and white supremacy connect with historically cis-normative and hetero-normative ways we have thought about families and neighborhoods.” Bunten elaborated on this intersection, discussing non-normative housing and shelter arrangements often sought out by queer and trans people with limited traditional housing options. Joseph discussed her work in New York City around youth homelessness and shared examples of discrimination towards trans and gender non-conforming people in obtaining housing. 

The panelists discussed how to further expand housing protections for LGBTQ and TGNC people and highlighted promising local developments to expand safety nets for these groups.

Full recordings and recaps of each event can be found here.