Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating complaints that race-based student dormitories at some flagship state universities violate federal anti-discrimination laws.

The article highlights the growing inadequacy of U.S. social safety net programs, particularly housing and food assistance, as costs for essentials like housing and healthcare outpace wages. It details systemic issues such as long waitlists for Section 8 housing, administrative errors in assistance programs, and policy decisions that prioritize tax cuts over support for low-income families.

A new federal housing law includes changes to disaster recovery funding administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aiming to improve predictability for communities like Vermont recovering from the 2023 floods. The law requires HUD to establish permanent rules for funding usage and set timelines for dispersing aid, though it does not guarantee congressional appropriations.

HUD suspended procurements involving the U.S. Virgin Islands' housing finance authority over fraud concerns tied to nearly $2 billion in disaster-recovery aid. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. criticized the move as a 'shock' and 'overreach,' suggesting it may be a political stunt timed with the territory's gubernatorial election, and noted an audit cited by HUD had ended previously.

Congress passed a bipartisan housing bill that will make HUD's sporadic disaster aid a permanent program, aiming to speed up long-term recovery for disaster-affected communities. The current HUD program, which has provided over $100 billion in disaster assistance, is criticized for delays and inefficiencies, such as a five-year delay in rebuilding affordable housing in New Bern, North Carolina, after Hurricane Florence.

A 24-state coalition, led by Washington, New York, and Rhode Island, sued the Trump administration over HUD's changes to homeless funding conditions, challenging the shift away from the Housing First model. The lawsuit alleges these changes will increase homelessness and violate the Administrative Procedure Act by altering the Continuum of Care program's funding priorities.

A federal judge rejected the Trump administration's attempt to redirect 2025 funding from permanent housing to temporary shelters and sobriety programs for homeless individuals in California. The ruling, however, did not prohibit future attempts to modify the funding allocation.

A federal judge rejected the Trump administration's attempt to divert 2025 homeless funding away from permanent housing, calling the decision 'unreasoned.' The ruling preserves California's use of federal funds for long-term housing, which the administration sought to limit to 30% of a $4 billion program. The judge allowed the administration to pursue future changes but criticized HUD's failure to assess the impact of its abrupt shift from the 'housing first' model.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from imposing grant conditions tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology. Cities including Seattle, Cleveland, and Portland argued the conditions unlawfully diverted grant funds from transportation, housing, and public safety programs, seeking over $2 billion in relief.

Chicago built the nation's largest air monitoring network, Open Air Chicago, following a civil rights complaint over relocating General Iron's operation. The network, with 277 monitors, focuses on overburdened neighborhoods to provide real-time pollution data and inform urban planning. The project aims to address uneven air quality, especially during hotter summers exacerbated by climate change.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill on June 23, 2026, sending it to President Donald Trump for expected signature. The bill aims to lower homeownership costs by reducing regulatory hurdles, expanding federal housing funds, and banning private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill, sending it to President Donald Trump’s desk after Senate approval. The measure aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for home construction, expand federal housing funds, and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill on June 23, 2026, sending it to President Donald Trump for expected signature. The bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for home construction, expand federal housing fund uses, and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill on June 23, 2026, sending it to President Donald Trump for expected signing after bipartisan Senate approval. The bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for home construction, expand federal housing funds, and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill on June 23, 2026, sending it to President Donald Trump for expected signature. The bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for home construction, expand federal housing fund uses, and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill on June 23, 2026, sending it to President Donald Trump for expected signature. The bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for home construction, expand federal housing funds, and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

The U.S. House passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill on June 23, 2026, sending it to President Donald Trump for expected signing. The bill aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for home construction, expand federal housing funds, and ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

A bipartisan affordable housing bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing bill, advances in Congress with goals to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and limit corporate ownership of homes. The bill includes provisions to revise federal housing programs, increase loan limits, and prevent corporations from buying large numbers of homes. Senator John Hickenlooper emphasized reducing bureaucracy and ensuring housing remains accessible.

A new Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis report on St. Paul's housing trends reveals mixed outcomes from the city's policies. Rent stabilization efforts have reduced new construction, while relaxed zoning regulations have shown some positive effects. Despite affordability challenges, rents remain flat, but the city's tax base is struggling.

A former Chicago Housing Authority director and a construction company president face charges for allegedly exchanging $421,000 in kickbacks for over $4.8 million in city construction contracts between 2023 and 2024. Both individuals are charged with eight counts of honest services fraud.

The Trump administration's HUD proposes new rules to restrict public housing assistance to U.S. citizens and implement work requirements for subsidized housing. The policy aims to evict an estimated 20,000 non-citizens in public housing and reduce long-term dependency by requiring tenants to work.

Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., proposes the Freedom to Build Act to reduce 'bureaucrat tax' costs on home construction by incentivizing deregulation. The Economic Report of the President highlights regulations adding $100K to new home costs, urging state-level reforms to boost housing supply.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) introduced the Freedom to Build Act to reduce the 'bureaucrat tax'—excessive regulations adding $100K to new home costs—by incentivizing deregulation through federal grants. The Economic Report of the President cited the tax as a barrier to housing supply, while the Senate passed a Trump-backed affordable housing package, though House GOP raised concerns.