Housing activists urge HUD to count LGBTs
NEWS
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HUD assistant secretary John Trasvina speaks at a hearing in San Francisco on a proposed rule to ensure equal access in federal housing programs. Photo: Lydia Gonzales |
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Housing rights activists in northern California are urging the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to count LGBT people who seek out its programs.
The issue has emerged as one of the main critiques with HUD's proposed rules on how to ensure equal access to its housing programs regardless of a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. HUD staffers have suggested that the agency prohibit inquiries into if an applicant is LGBT.
The pending rule, which was released in January, is intended to prevent that information from being used as a reason to deny someone housing.
"In some parts of the country it could be used as a weapon to keep people out," warned John Trasvina, HUD's assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity, during a meeting with community members that took place in San Francisco March 9.
But without the statistical information, argue activists, it will be impossible to know if LGBT people are able to access HUD programs. Detractors have derided it as another problematic "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
