SOUTHERN LEGAL COUNSEL OPPOSES POTENTIALLY DISCRIMINATORY HUD RULE

Southern Legal Counsel submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) April 13 opposing a recently proposed HUD rule allowing faith-based organizations to participate in any HUD program or activity with “permissible accommodations” under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

When viewed in the context of other expressed intent of the current HUD administration, the proposed rule, titled “Equal Protection of Faith-Based Organizations in HUD Programs and Activities:  Implementation of Executive Order 13831,” would allow faith-based providers to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals on the basis of the organizations’ religious beliefs.

HUD’s Equal Access Rule and related guidance were designed to give service providers the information they need to properly serve and support transgender people in their time of need. The rules are meant to ensure LGBTQ people have access to life-sustaining programs and services when they are at their most vulnerable. The proposed HUD rule potentially gives faith-based organizations a pass on the Equal Access Rule and the Fair Housing Act and could have devastating consequences for LGBTQ individuals in need of life-sustaining services and shelter.

The threat is real. Nearly 30% of transgender individuals have experienced homelessness, which puts them at a heightened risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation. Further, nearly 40% of homeless youth in the United States identify as LGBTQ. Access to housing and shelter is a basic human right, and removing protections for LGBTQ individuals under the guise of religious liberty is inhumane and unacceptable.

The letter opposing the proposed HUD rule is part of SLC’s work to ensure equal access to housing and homeless shelters for LGBTQ individuals, including community education and training for members of the community, homeless and housing providers, lawyers and social services agencies, and LGBTQ individuals.

Partner social service organizations signing on to the letter include the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, Equality Florida, Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, One Orlando Alliance, Zebra Coalition, TransSOCIAL, Inc., and Pride Community Center of North Central Florida.