One of the great mysteries of the Obama administration is when the final version of its transformative and hyper-controversial “affirmatively furthering fair housing” rule will be issued. A preliminary version of the rule was released almost two years ago, but still no final version. Leftist housing advocates have been expecting the rule since the middle of Obama’s first term, but are continually disappointed as this politically explosive regulation is delayed beyond election after election. Unlike other administration initiatives, Obama never talks about AFFH. When it comes to the finalization of the rule, I’ll believe it when I see it.

That said, it’s of interest that an article in the Hill today claims that a finalized AFFH is “due out this month.” Prompted by passage of the Gosar amendment blocking enforcement of AFFH, the reporter, Tim Devaney, appears to have gone to HUD to ask about the rule’s scheduled release. So a finalized AFFH may be announced within weeks. If so, it will stir the pot just as the Senate is considering the Gosar amendment.

That may mean yet another delay. Or, recognizing how little time is left to act, we may see what the administration has avoided until now: a public campaign on behalf of AFFH. When you see a front page feature in the New York Times arguing for radical changes in housing policy, you’ll know AFFH is on the way. At any rate, GOP presidential candidates had better study up. Sooner or later, AFFH is coming.