Senator Warren (D-MA) and Representative Waters (D-CA) Lead 106 Congressional Democrats in Fight for Fair Housing, Demand Answers from HUD Secretary Turner Amid Assault on Civil Rights

On March 17, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Members of the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee, respectively, accompanied 106 Congressional Democrats in sending a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner demanding answers on fair housing enforcement. The letter is in response to the Secretary’s actions weakening the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (see Memo, 3/3), and HUD’s sudden and unlawful termination of grants the organizations received to carry out activities under HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) (see Memo, 3/17). Enforcement of these policies is central to the “Fair Housing Act of 1968” and systematically dismantling HUD and abandoning its fair housing obligations runs contrary to the 1968 “Civil Rights Act.”  

The letter expresses concern for recent actions including weakening Fair Housing Act protections, firing hundreds of staff, canceling grants, repealing enforcement rules, and granting Elon Musk access to sensitive discrimination data. The letter reminded Secretary Turner of his legal duty to enforce housing discrimination laws, emphasizing that executive actions cannot override statutory mandates. Additionally, the letter expresses concern that these changes could deepen housing and economic inequities and calls for Secretary Turner to provide answers on HUD's current efforts to uphold the law. The lawmakers conclude with a request for Secretary Turner to answer a series of questions outlining what the agency is currently doing to uphold the law and provide an in-person briefing to members of Congress, which was requested to be no later than March 27, 2025. 

Read the letter here.