- HUD closed 2-year transgender discrimination case citing jurisdictional limitations
- Trump administration redefines sex as biological under federal housing rules
- 1 in 3 transgender Americans experience chronic homelessness nationwide
- ACLU warns of systemic civil rights erosion in housing sector
New evidence reveals systemic challenges for transgender individuals seeking housing protections under revised HUD policies. The agency closed Tazz Webster’s discrimination complaint after 26 months of investigation, citing President Trump’s executive order redefining biological sex. This pattern follows nationwide policy shifts affecting over 1.2 million transgender adults.
St. Louis resident Tazz Webster became homeless after allegedly facing transphobic harassment from subsidized housing staff. Despite documented physical confrontations and illegal eviction tactics, HUD dismissed his case in February – three weeks after announcing revised enforcement priorities. Legal experts confirm at least 17 similar closures since December 2023.
The administration’s reinterpretation of the Fair Housing Act removes explicit protections for gender identity established under Obama-era rules. Housing advocates report a 40% increase in LGBTQ+ shelter denials across Midwestern states since January. Missouri’s transgender homelessness rate now exceeds national averages at 38%.
Regional impacts emerge in St. Louis-area cases:
- Bea Gonzalez ejected from domestic violence shelter despite HUD funding
- 3-state shelter shuffle left family homeless for 455 days
- Local nonprofits face conflicting federal contract requirements
Industry analysts note three critical shifts under current HUD leadership:
- Reduced investigative staff in Fair Housing offices
- New “biological reality” compliance guidelines for shelters
- $2.3 billion budget cut proposed for LGBTQ+ housing programs
Legal challenges mount as Arch City Defenders pursue Webster’s $25k property damage lawsuit. Meanwhile, My Sistah’s House in Memphis reports 300% increased demand from transgender individuals avoiding federally funded shelters. Executive Director Kayla Gore states: “When policies legitimize discrimination, vulnerable communities pay the price.”
With 70% of transgender shelter residents reporting harassment nationwide, advocates urge state-level protections. Illinois recently passed the Transgender Housing Accountability Act – a model other states may follow. However, 19 states now align with federal definitions excluding gender identity from anti-discrimination statutes.