Urgent Action Alert to Protect Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Youth
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule which removes protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people, deeply impacting young people in and leaving foster care.
Background
In July, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a new rule that would allow federally-funded homeless shelters to discriminate against transgender people by permitting shelters to refuse people based on their gender identity.
With nearly half of all young people in foster care impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity, this Rule would greatly impact the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming people in and leaving foster care. This Rule will put young people in danger by making them less likely to seek needed shelter and by putting them at risk of harm by exposing them to discriminatory treatment. Young people should be able to access vital services like shelter without barriers and without discriminatory treatment. This should be true at all times and has never been more important than during a pandemic. If you or your organization want to ensure access and non-discrimination in the provision of shelter services to all young people, we encourage you to comment and oppose the proposed Rule.
Comments to the proposed rule are due on Tuesday, September 22nd 11:59 PM EST.
Here are ways you can take action now to oppose the proposed rule!
- Individuals: Click here to submit a public comment and tell HUD that #HousingSavesLives
Want help with what to say? Check out the campaign talking points at housingsaveslives.org or click here for an individual public comment template.
- Child Welfare Organizations, Advocates and Providers: Click here to submit a public comment on behalf of an organization. Here is an organizational template that you can use to develop comments.
- Young People and their Supporters: Join a National Learning Session on Friday September 18th at 1:30 PT / 4:30 ET
Click here to join this learning session with a FosterClub Young Leader, Foster Youth in Action staff and members of FosterClub’s Policy team to learn more and how you can take action.