April 01, 2025

Warren Secures Congressional Watchdog Investigation into Trump-Musk Cuts to HUD Fair Housing Enforcement

Response from congressional watchdog here (PDF)

Washington, DC – In response to a request from lawmakers led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that they will investigate the draconian and dangerous cuts to fair housing enforcement at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). Other signers of the request to the GAO include Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Raphael Warnock (D-G.a.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

“I am pleased to announce that the GAO is taking up our request to investigate co-President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s dangerous cuts to fair housing enforcement at HUD,” said Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren. “Their plans to cut 80% of HUD’s fair housing staff would harm families across the country who have experienced housing discrimination, whether it be a landlord refusing to make repairs to accommodate someone’s disability, or a Black family whose home is being appraised lower than it should. I look forward to closely following the results of GAO’s investigation.”

The GAO wrote: “Thank you for your letter requesting that the Government Accountability Office review matters related to recent actions undertaken at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and by the administration's newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the resources available for the enforcement of fair housing laws. GAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority.”

This independent investigation follows news that Donald Trump and Elon Musk are planning to cut nearly 80% of the staff of HUD’s fair housing office (FHEO). FHEO is responsible for responding to fair housing complaints, of which there were an estimated 34,000 in 2023, according to an investigation by the National Fair Housing Alliance. Additionally, DOGE has reportedly been able to access sensitive data held by FHEO, including instances of domestic violence. 

The GAO review represents a critical opportunity to shed light on these concerning developments and provide answers to the American people about the impact of the Trump Administration’s actions on fair housing.

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