NLIHC submitted a comment letter on September 21 opposing HUD’s anti-transgender changes to the Equal Access Rule (see Memo, 7/27). NLIHC’s comments urges HUD to abandon its proposed changes to the Equal Access Rule and ensure protections from discrimination remain for transgender people experiencing homelessness and seeking federally funded shelters. The 60-day comment period ended on September 22 and HUD must now review all comments before going forward in their rule making.
NLIHC’s comments to HUD stress that these proposed changes limiting access to safe sheltering services would put transgender people at a greater risk of homelessness. Such a proposal from the administration is harmful under the most ordinary of circumstances, but the reduction of these vital protections in the midst of a pandemic is particularly cruel. The letter encourages HUD to address the housing and health needs of all people experiencing homelessness instead of making proposals rooted in falsehoods and harmful stereotypes.
This comment letter was submitted as a part of the Housing Saves Lives Campaign, an effort led by True Colors United, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Housing Law Project, NLIHC, and over 50 national and local organizations to call on individuals and organizations to submit comments opposing this discriminatory policy.
Now that the comment period has ended, HUD must respond to all published comments before the agency can move forward with its final rule. If the agency decides to go forth with the rulemaking, the final rule must include an explanatory preamble and the rule text. The preamble must include a response to the significant, relevant issues raised in public comments and a statement providing the basis and an explanation of the rule. NLIHC will continue to monitor HUD’s actions and will keep members and partners informed.
Read NLIHC’s comment letter at: https://bit.ly/2RWjw1V
Read the proposed rule at: https://bit.ly/33ILKT1
Read the joint press statement from NLIHC and other Housing Saves Lives partners at: https://bit.ly/2CWWWBS
You can find a FAQ on HUD’s proposed changes to the Equal Access at: https://bit.ly/2ZOOxsS
For the latest news, resources, and actions against this rule, visit: https://housingsaveslives.org/