L-R Duvi Honig Founder/Ceo Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce together with Hon. Craig Trainor, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce held a high-level meeting on Wednesday, April 22, with Hon. Craig Trainor, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), advancing a focused federal dialogue on housing discrimination, civil rights enforcement, and constitutional protections for religious practice at a time of rising antisemitism nationwide.
The meeting took place at HUD’s newly established headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, following the department’s relocation in early April. Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor noted that the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce delegation was among the first five official meetings held in the newly occupied facility — a distinction that underscored the level of respect, priority, and importance the Administration is placing on engagement with the Chamber’s leadership and the issues it represents. Participating in the meeting alongside Chamber leadership was Trey Tagert, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, representing the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, highlighting the department’s direct involvement on enforcement and policy matters.
The relocation, directed under President Donald Trump, moved HUD from the aging Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C. to 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, citing serious health risks including mold, asbestos, and failing infrastructure. The administration projected $500 million in deferred maintenance savings and approximately $56 million in annual operating cost reductions, as part of a broader federal efficiency initiative. The move remains under review by the Government Accountability Office.
At the center of the meeting was a detailed discussion on persistent housing discrimination impacting the Orthodox Jewish community, particularly in residential expansion efforts. Duvi Honig, Founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, outlined patterns in which Jewish families face resistance when moving into new neighborhoods — including zoning manipulation, selective enforcement, and attempts to block basic religious practices such as hosting prayer gatherings.
Honig also elevated the Chamber’s recent role in a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief filed just ten days earlier on April 10 in Grand v. City of University Heights, Ohio, led by Advancing American Freedom, which challenges the use of zoning laws to prevent an Orthodox Jewish homeowner from hosting a required minyan prayer in his home. The brief argues that restricting in-home religious gatherings violates the First Amendment, creates a chilling effect on religious exercise, and contradicts America’s founding principles — echoing President George Washington’s vision that every American should be able to “sit in safety under his own Vine and Fig Tree.” Honig emphasized that the same misuse of zoning laws raised before the Court is actively impacting communities nationwide.
Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and increasing concern over discrimination in housing and community development, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has emerged as a leading national voice advocating on behalf of Jewish communities facing these challenges. Across New Jersey, New York — including Upstate New York — Maryland, Ohio, and throughout the United States, the Chamber has been actively engaged in confronting discriminatory practices — not only in residential housing, but also in cases involving religious institutions.
In one of several prominent cases, the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce has moved beyond advocacy — aggressively intervening to block the court-ordered demolition of a Chabad house operating from a private home on a college campus, calling it a clear case of anti-religious bias and unlawful overreach. Represented by Attorney Nathan Lewin, the Chamber filed an amicus curiae brief, positioning the case as part of a broader pattern of zoning laws being used to restrict religious expression.
A major operational issue raised in the meeting was the impact of the “Made in America” housing requirements introduced under the Biden administration, which the Chamber said are significantly delaying HUD housing approvals and project completion timelines. Duvi Honig stressed that these prolonged delays are hurting both families waiting for housing and builders who are losing money each day projects are stalled due to slow approvals and inspections. The Chamber proposed stepping in as a neutral mediator, working with HUD and industry stakeholders to help expedite approvals, streamline coordination, and accelerate delivery for both tenants and developers.
“We advocated for both the builders and the families waiting for HUD housing that is being delayed,” said Isaac of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce leadership committee. “We are here to help all — to expedite solutions and ensure these projects move forward without unnecessary delays.”
The Chamber also leveraged the meeting to advocate for broader housing solutions, highlighting its close working relationship with New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, and exploring how federal support can help New York City address housing shortages, streamline development, and strengthen voucher access amid mounting affordability pressures. The Chamber further raised New Jersey’s housing challenges, emphasizing ongoing coordination with New Jersey Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell under the state’s new leadership. The Chamber noted it has been working closely for some time with Tom Bracken, a close partner and leader of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, across both administrations to advance solutions focused on expanding housing supply, reducing regulatory barriers, and improving access — with plans to continue these efforts in upcoming follow-up meetings.
“At a time when antisemitism is rising, having a direct working relationship with federal leadership is critical,” said Duvi Honig. “The attention this Administration is giving to protecting our rights — and holding accountable those who abuse their authority against Jewish communities — is both important and necessary.”
“At a time like this, a direct, face-to-face relationship with the Assistant Secretary leading Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is essential — ensuring that when discrimination occurs, there is leadership ready to respond immediately and take action,” Honig added.
Honig added: “Craig is an outstanding example of leadership,” pointing to Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor’s responsiveness and commitment to addressing real-world challenges facing affected communities.
L-R Duvi Honig Founder/Ceo Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce , Trey Tagert, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, Hon. Craig Trainor, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
“This was a tremendous and productive meeting,” Honig said. “We are honored to work closely with HUD leadership to ensure that all communities — including ours and our partner communities — are protected from discrimination and treated fairly under the law.”
With the issue now spanning local zoning disputes, federal enforcement, and active consideration before the United States Supreme Court, the stakes extend far beyond a single case in Ohio — spotlighting what advocates describe as the deliberate misuse of local zoning laws across New Jersey, New York — including Upstate New York — Maryland, Ohio, and throughout the United States to exclude Jewish residents and restrict religious life, and setting up a defining national test of whether constitutional protections will be enforced when local authority is used in a discriminatory manner.