The Trump administration has begun the process of undoing Obama-era regulations meant to ensure communities took necessary steps to stop racial segregation. 

The new proposed rule by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which was released Tuesday, would change housing standards — adjusting rules to place more emphasis on improving housing choice rather than reducing discrimination.

“Mayors know their communities best, so we are empowering them to make housing decisions that meet their unique needs, not a mandate from the federal government,” said Housing Secretary Ben Carson to ABC News. “If a community fails to improve housing choice, HUD stands ready to enforce the Fair Housing Act and pursue action against any party that violates the law."

HUD says they plan to do so with the change from a 92 question checklist to the submission of three goals that each city would be responsible for creating. HUD officials hope the new process will be more focused on achieving results.

While the rule change is supposed to simplify the process in which cities meet civil rights obligations, housing advocates argue the plan would weaken enforcement and lead to increased segregation across the country. 

“This proposal would dismantle efforts to combat ongoing racial segregation in the housing market and effectively allow jurisdictions free rein to discriminate without consequences," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to ABC News. 

Others on the front lines of housing fights fear the repercussions will be even more dire.

“If the rule takes effect, ongoing housing discrimination and segregation will likely continue to be swept under the rug and HUD resources will do far less to reduce segregation and expand housing opportunities for people of color, people with disabilities, and other protected groups," said Peggy Bailey, vice president of housing policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Public comment on the potential rule change will be allowed for 90 days once it is published on the Federal Register.

housing segregationHud Ben Carson