HUD’s Warning on Race-Based Housing in Universities

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a statement on Tuesday, cautioning that race-based “affinity housing” infringes upon federal anti-discrimination laws. They encouraged universities to prevent the establishment of racially segregated living spaces.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter, HUD noted that institutions supporting this “disturbing trend” of what they described as “neo-racist” housing will be held to “fullest accountability” under the Trump administration.

Scott Turner, HUD Secretary, criticized what he termed the “discredited idea of DEI,” asserting that university ideologues are perpetuating racist housing practices, in direct violation of civil rights legislation. He remarked, “There is no place for illegal residential segregation in America—and especially not in educational institutions where families send their children to learn.”

Turner expressed that under President Trump’s guidance, the department is committed to eliminating racism in housing, including within educational settings.

A study from 2019 conducted by the American Association of Scholars—a conservative organization focused on reforming higher education—revealed that “new segregation” on college campuses is prevalent, if not rampant.

Researcher Dion J. Pierre identified that, among the 173 universities surveyed, around 46% had established “segregated student orientation programs,” while 43% provided “segregated housing,” and 72% conducted segregated graduation ceremonies.

In 2020, rising discussions on “systemic racism,” prompted by George Floyd’s death, saw more universities offering affinity housing options for minority groups on campus.

Craig Traynor, HUD’s Assistant Secretary and director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), conveyed in a letter to fair housing organizations that such issues have been longstanding. He referenced Wesleyan University’s 1996 decision to designate the Malcolm X House as a space “only for black people,” noting similar practices at other institutions like California State University Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley.

Traynor emphasized the Supreme Court’s 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which highlighted that segregated educational facilities are inherently unequal. He argued that today’s proponents of segregated housing are morally comparable to past segregationists. “As Justice Thomas said, what was wrong in 1954 cannot be right today,” he added, reinforcing that the days of tolerating racial discrimination in educational environments are over.

HUD’s Office of Fair Housing plans to enforce compliance with the Fair Housing Act, pursuing all legal remedies available against institutions engaged in discriminatory practices. This includes potential compensatory and punitive damages, civil penalties, and injunctive relief.