Bill Overview
Title: PATH Data Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to annually collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing-related programs and activities. Specifically, HUD must survey and report on the levels of discrimination against members of protected classes (including classes based on relationship status, sexual orientation, and gender identity) in housing practices; and include (and require entities that receive funds through HUD to include) sexual orientation and gender identity when collecting demographic data concerning housing programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
Target Audience
Population: People identifying as LGBTQ+ worldwide and individuals involved in housing programs
Estimated Size: 25000000
- The PATH Data Act focuses on collecting housing-related data on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- The act aims to identify levels of discrimination in housing based on these demographic factors.
- LGBTQ+ individuals are directly protected classes mentioned in the bill.
- Individuals involved in housing programs could be impacted due to changes in data collection practices.
Reasoning
- The PATH Data Act specifically targets the collection of data related to sexual orientation and gender identity to identify discrimination in housing practices.
- The Act may lead to increased awareness of discrimination, which could positively impact wellbeing due to reduced discrimination, recognition of rights, or changes in housing allocation or services.
- Since the policy involves data collection and reporting, its impact on individuals may vary, with some experiencing only indirect effects.
- The budget allocation might limit extensive coverage and action in the initial years, but gradual increases after year 1 could provide more comprehensive data and analysis.
- The impact on individuals may depend on their engagement with housing programs and personal awareness of the PATH Data Act.
- Some individuals might feel reassured or validated by the focus on discrimination data collection.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that there are efforts to recognize the discrimination faced by people like me in housing.
- The high cost of housing in my area makes it hard to find places that are both affordable and welcoming.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Real Estate Agent (Nashville, TN)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having official documentation of housing discrimination can be a game changer for advocacy.
- It's the first step toward both recognition and protection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Recently graduated student (Austin, TX)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Discrimination definitely factors into my anxiety about finding housing.
- It's important that people like me are acknowledged in official data.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Rural Iowa)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this policy affects me directly.
- Gathering more information can never hurt, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Social Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Data collection will help craft better policies to combat housing discrimination.
- I'm cautiously optimistic about the potential future changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Artist (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Specific data on discrimination will validate our experiences and struggles.
- Hopefully, this leads to better access to fair housing options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Heterosexual (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think about this much since it doesn't affect me.
- Good if it helps others enjoy the same housing security I do.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Activist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing discrimination officially is crucial for our safety and quality of life.
- The policy is a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- University housing is more accepting, but the real challenge comes after graduation.
- Policy signals awareness, which is comforting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
IT Specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this policy as a form of structural support for communities.
- Always room for improvement in data-driven actions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $3200000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4000000)
Year 3: $3200000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $1800000, High: $2500000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1500000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $900000)
Key Considerations
- The policy will incur early setup costs, especially in altering data systems and training staff across HUD programs.
- The effectiveness of the data collected will depend on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of how sexual orientation and gender identity are reported.
- There is a risk of under-reporting or non-compliance by some entities involved in housing programs, potentially skewing data results.