According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is considering removing the words “free from discrimination” from its mission statement, as it reduces from 63 words to 23 words.  According to a memo sent The Huffington Post, the memo was being updated “in an effort to align HUD’s mission with the Secretary’s priorities and that of the Administration.”

The current mission statement:

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination, and transform the way HUD does business.

The proposed new mission statement:

HUD’s mission is to ensure Americans have access to fair, affordable housing and opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency, thereby strengthening our communities and nation.

When asked about the changes, HUD spokesman Raffi Williams responded, “You can be sure of one thing — any mission statement for this Department will embody the principle of fairness as a central element of everything that we do. HUD has been, is now, and will always be committed to ensuring inclusive housing, free from discrimination for all Americans”.