In response to a request by Senator Elizabeth Warren, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will investigate recent cuts to fair housing enforcement at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The reductions have been implemented by Elon Musk’s "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), as confirmed by the GAO. The request for this investigation was co-signed by Senators Tina Smith, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, and Alex Padilla.
"I am pleased to announce that the GAO is taking up our request to investigate co-President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s dangerous cuts to fair housing enforcement at HUD,” said Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren. “Their plans to cut 80% of HUD’s fair housing staff would harm families across the country who have experienced housing discrimination, whether it be a landlord refusing to make repairs to accommodate someone’s disability, or a Black family whose home is being appraised lower than it should. I look forward to closely following the results of GAO’s investigation.”
The GAO stated, “Thank you for your letter requesting that the Government Accountability Office review matters related to recent actions undertaken at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and by the administration's newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the resources available for the enforcement of fair housing laws. GAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority.”
This investigation arises amid reports that Donald Trump and Elon Musk plan to cut nearly 80% of the staff of HUD’s fair housing office. The office is responsible for handling an estimated 34,000 fair housing complaints received in 2023, according to the National Fair Housing Alliance. There are also concerns that DOGE may have access to sensitive data held by this office, including cases of domestic violence.
The GAO's investigation aims to illuminate these developments’ implications and deliver findings to the public regarding the impact of the Trump Administration's policies on fair housing enforcement.