HUD probes Boston housing policies for potential federal law violations

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Thursday announced an investigation into the city of Boston, Massachusetts, alleging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) housing practices violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

HUD said it had evidence that Boston used federal grant aid for “race-based preferences” in violation of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI, and described the attempts as a “social engineering project.”

“We believe that the City of Boston has engaged in a social engineering project that deliberately advances discriminatory housing policies driven by an ideological commitment to DEI rather than merit or need,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement. he said. “HUD is committed to protecting the civil rights of every American and will thoroughly investigate the City’s stated goal of ‘integrating racial equity into all layers of city government.'”

Turner added that “this distorted mentality will be fully exposed and Boston will be in full compliance with federal anti-discrimination law.”

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The investigation came after HUD sent a letter to the Mayor’s Office of Housing warning city officials that it had “reason to believe” Boston was improperly using federal grant aid.

According to HUD, Boston’s Fair Housing Assessment promises to “target homebuyer outreach” to “black and Latino families” and tasks city departments with collecting racial and ethnic data “to evaluate their work through a racial equity/social justice lens.”

According to HUD, the Boston Housing Strategy 2025 also states that “at least 65% of homeownership opportunities through city initiatives must go to BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) households.”

“The policy is clear,” the agency said. “Financial housing assistance does not only apply to all low-income individuals, but instead ‘specifically to BIPOC residents.’”

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HUD is “Smashing Biden’s Boston BIPOC Party,” Turner said on X on Thursday.

“Boston has implemented discriminatory housing policies in the name of DEI,” he wrote. “This distorted mentality will be exposed, and Boston will fully comply with federal law.”

Earlier this week, Turner harshly criticized the Biden administration on Fox News Digital and said he blamed the former president’s policies for the illegal immigration and refugee crisis that shook the housing market.

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is investigating whether Boston used federal grant aid for “race-based preferences,” in violation of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI. (The Boston Globe via Lane Turner/Getty Images)

Every two years, HUD releases the “Worst-Case Housing Needs Report,” which assesses the state of the housing market for low-income Americans and how many lack both affordable and adequate housing.

Turner said this year’s assessment contained devastating findings that former President Joe Biden pointed to on the immigration crisis.

“The uncontrolled illegal immigration and open border policies allowed by the Biden administration continue to put severe pressure on housing and price it out for American families,” Turner said. he said.

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Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner stated on December 11 that Boston “has engaged in a social engineering project that deliberately advances discriminatory housing policies driven by ideological commitment to DEI rather than merit or need.” (Getty Images)

Fox News Digital has reached out to the City of Boston for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.