Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren will convene an unofficial hearing Tuesday to spotlight allegations that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has failed to adequately enforce federal fair housing laws, as two whistleblowers prepare to testify about internal retaliation and reduced civil rights enforcement.
- The whistleblowers are civil rights attorneys from HUD’s fair housing division who say they faced termination or administrative leave after signing a report criticizing enforcement practices.
- The hearing will examine claims that HUD has shifted away from addressing systemic discrimination by landlords and lenders.
- Warren invited Housing Secretary Scott Turner and senior officials to appear at the forum scheduled for Jan. 13.
- According to one whistleblower, the number of HUD fair housing attorneys has fallen from 27 at the start of the Trump administration to nine today.
- HUD previously issued termination notices to hundreds of staff during a federal shutdown, including many involved in discrimination investigations.
- Advocacy groups say reduced federal funding has forced cutbacks in fair housing enforcement nationwide.
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Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more details become available.
