HUD Secretary’s Controversial Directive: Transgender Women Banned from Women-Only Shelters

HUD Secretary’s Controversial Directive: Transgender Women Banned from Women-Only Shelters

In an impactful first day as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Eric Turner has initiated a significant policy shift concerning the access of transgender women to federally funded women-only shelters. This decision reflects an ongoing national debate about gender identity and women’s rights in the context of housing assistance.

Suspension of the Equal Access Rule

Turner has instructed agency staff to halt all pending and future enforcement actions related to the Obama-era Equal Access Rule. This rule mandated that HUD-funded programs and shelters assess eligibility based on an individual’s self-identified gender. Critics of the suspension argue that it undermines protections for transgender individuals seeking safe housing.

Restoring Biological Truth

In a press meeting, Turner stated that this directive aligns with President Donald Trump’s agenda aimed at