On March 13, a class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against HUD, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, DOGE, and DOGE’s acting administrator. The plaintiffs, a group of fair housing organizations, alleged HUD unlawfully terminated 78 Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants without notice or explanation, impacting their ability to combat housing discrimination. These grants, which have been a source of funding for fair housing organizations across 33 states, were terminated following a directive from DOGE, a nonagency body established by executive order. The plaintiffs argued the termination of these grants was arbitrary, capricious and unlawful as it contradicts the statutory purposes of the Fair Housing Act and the FHIP. The complaint detailed the significant negative impact on the organizations and the communities they serve, including program closures, staff layoffs, and potential organizational shutdowns. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief to reverse the termination and reinstate the grants, asserting that HUD and DOGE’s actions exceed their statutory authority and violate the APA.
