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Allison here.

This week I am so excited for you to hear the second episode of our 2021 series on the Biden presidency, called Year One, The Issues.

During Biden's first year in office, we'll be taking time to explore some of the bigger policy challenges that his administration faces.

Issues that predate the pandemic and remain on the minds of many Americans.

Our first episode in this series, back in April, focused on student debt.

In our second episode, we're examining President Biden's vow to end housing discrimination during his presidency.

Here's the show.

On the campaign trail, Joe Biden pledged to do what he could to dismantle systemic racism.

And as president, he's taken some steps toward that goal.

In his first week in office, President Biden signed four executive actions that his administration said were aimed at increasing racial equity.

Among them was one action aimed at strengthening anti-discrimination housing policies, policies that were weakened under President Trump.

Today, I'll be certainly signing an additional package of executive actions to continue this vital work.

Housing, for example.

Housing is a right in American home ownership, is an essential tool to wealth creation and to be passed down to generations.

Today, I'm directing the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs and Urban Development to redress historical racism and federal housing policies.

Today, Biden says that's merely the beginning of his efforts to fight discrimination in housing.

The president has directed his administration to end racist practices and to create more equal opportunities when it comes to where Americans live.

As of early 2020, only 44% of Black Americans own homes, compared with 74% of white families.

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