HUD’s English-Only Edict: Bureaucratic Bigotry at Its Most Barefaced
It’s dumb. It’s cruel. It’s probably illegal.
Here’s the latest outrage: per The New York Post, HUD is now banning translations—no more multilingual services, no more materials in any language but English—rolled out effective immediately—all in service of "speaking with one voice and one language." But let’s be clear: the reason isn't unity. It’s cost-cutting cruelty at the expense of the most vulnerable.
We used to get help in up to 222 languages. Now? Zero—or nearly. That hotline, those flyers, all those translations? Gone. Even HUD once bragged about serving folks in hundreds of languages.
Why it’s not just stupid—it’s unlawful:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin. Folks with limited English proficiency (LEP) must have meaningful access to federally-funded programs. That means translation and interpretation when needed.
HUD has long required a Four-Factor Analysis—evaluating how many LEP people are served, how often, how vital the services are, and what the cost is—to figure out appropriate language accommodations. They also must craft Language Access Plans. HUD even provides tools for grantees to analyze, plan, and act.
HUD’s own regulations (24 CFR Part 1) absolutely demand meaningful access for LEP individuals. It isn’t an optional suggestion—it’s the law.
And get this, on April 2025, the Department of Justice—for its part—rescinded prior guidance on LEP (originally issued under Clinton’s EO 13166) but explicitly stated that Title VI still applies. Recipients still must comply with all civil-rights laws, including ensuring language access. You can’t just wipe away legal protections with an executive pen.
So yes—this is xenophobic, ignorant, and likely illegal. HUD is effectively shutting out anyone who doesn’t speak perfect English—people who need housing help, assistance to escape violence, fair eviction notices, just trying to keep a roof over their heads.
Let’s make the outrage count.
Flood HUD Now
Post your fury in the comments below.
Tag your rep: Demand they hold HUD accountable. Cite Title VI and the rescinded-but-still-binding legal obligations.
File a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity—language discrimination is real, and you can point them to HUD’s own four-factor obligations.
Submit public comment when the DOJ opens its comment period (coming in ~six months per the memo)—hammer the message that language equality is not optional.
Spread the word: share the post, tweet, email—let everyone know this isn’t just tone-deaf—it’s racist, illegal, and inhumane.
TL;DR: HUD just flushed decades of civil-rights commitment—spinning it as unity, when it’s really an anti-language purge. You’re damn right we’re raging—and thriving on facts, law, and relentless righteous fury.