Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with Senators Tina Smith, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, and Alex Padilla, has called on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate significant reductions in fair housing enforcement at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These actions were reportedly taken by the Trump Administration.
In a letter to the GAO, the Senators stated their concerns: “We write to request that the Government Accountability Office investigate recent actions undertaken at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and by the administration’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the resources available for the enforcement of fair housing laws.”
The Senators cited a report from the National Fair Housing Alliance indicating that approximately 34,000 fair housing complaints were made in 2023. They emphasized HUD's obligation under federal laws to support fair housing practices. Despite this role, they claim that "the Trump Administration has taken steps to reduce the agency’s ability to fulfill this key function."
The reported measures include plans to terminate nearly 80 percent of FHEO staff, end essential Fair Housing Act enforcement grants, and reverse or halt enforcement of critical HUD rules such as the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule and Equal Access Rule.
This letter is part of an ongoing effort by Senator Warren. She previously addressed HUD Secretary Turner alongside Rep. Maxine Waters regarding how these cuts could increase housing discrimination.