As we come to the end of the week, I want to take a moment to update you on the federal activity that impacts our work to end homelessness.
Before the updates, though, I also want to acknowledge that many of us are feeling anxious about what the future may hold for important policies and funding for our programs. This is understandable in the current environment, but I also want to remind folks who receive this email that communities and programs across the country continue to do good work: getting people into the housing and services they need, locking in solid policy and funding at the state or local level, and supporting staff and people with lived experience of homelessness through the challenges we are experiencing. At the Alliance, we make a point to include bright spots we see – glimmers, if you will – in our meetings so we can remember that good work persists even in challenging times.
Below are the key items from this week that will impact our work, especially for HUD funding recipients.
New HUD Secretary
This week, Scott Turner was confirmed as the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As a former HUD staffer, I know firsthand how the Secretary can impact homelessness and housing policy. The Alliance is closely monitoring actions coming out of HUD, and we will keep you informed of any policies to which we will be forced to collectively respond.
Equal Access Rule Under Attack
On Thursday afternoon, Secretary Turner announced in a press conference that HUD would immediately halt any pending or future enforcement actions related to HUD’s 2016 Equal Access Rule. This rule provides guidance to ensure equal access to individuals in accordance with their gender identity and family composition in programs and shelter funded under Office of Community Planning and Development-administered programs.
The Equal Access Rule itself has not been rescinded; that requires a formal regulatory process. Current regulatory protections for trans and non-binary people seeking shelter still stand. The Secretary’s statement instead says that HUD will no longer enforce complaints stemming from violations of the rule; this could be a precursor of additional actions to come.
I want to be clear: the Alliance remains committed to equal access. At a time when unsheltered homelessness is soaring and when gender expansive people are experiencing shocking disparities in unsheltered homelessness, communities can’t afford to create any additional barriers to shelter and programs.
The Alliance strongly urges system leaders and providers to have policies in place to ensure that everyone has access to the life-saving shelter and services that they need, regardless of HUD’s decision.
Your Advocacy Matters
Last week, we asked you to share your voices with Members of Congress: to unfreeze federal grant and loan programs and to distribute the most recently awarded CoC Program Competition awards. More than 11,000 of you did just that.
In a new blog post, the Alliance’s VP of Programs and Policy, Marcy Thompson, reflects on the potential of advocacy to create a more just and equitable world. Each one of you holds the power to be the advocate that your elected officials need to create stronger communities.
As a field, we must strengthen our collective advocacy muscle so that this becomes a part of our day-to-day work: not just something we do when standing at the edge of the cliff.
Undoubtedly, there will be more to report in the coming weeks. At this moment, I want to thank you for your tireless work, your advocacy, and your commitment to the mission to end homelessness in the United States.
I hope you can take moments for self-care and rest as we navigate the changing environment together.
Ann Oliva
CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness