Comment Submitted by Mental Health Partnerships
AnonymousOpposeAdvocacy
Summary: Mental Health Partnerships, an advocacy organization and HUD-funded housing provider, opposes the proposed revisions because they remove protections for transgender individuals in HUD-funded shelters. They argue the rule will harm vulnerable populations and place an undue administrative burden on nonprofit providers.
On behalf of Mental Health Partnerships and our 75 years of advocacy, we oppose the Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Revisions that amends 24 C.F.R. § 5.106 to remove any protections for transgender individuals seeking CPD-funded shelter or services.
Mental Health Partnerships has been collaboratively building hope and promoting the well-being of people in recovery through innovative peer-centered advocacy, learning, and services throughout PA. As a provider of HUD-funded housing and an organization whose clients identify as transgender, this rule would have an imminent impact on their well-being and recovery. This rule is especially troubling because it also applies to emergency shelters which are often the first place a transgender person turns for shelter from unsafe living conditions. In addition, it is well documented that one in three transgender people experience homelessness in their lives. We understand the intent of the administration, but this will do more harm than good on the ground.
Not only does this rule hurt our transgender population, but it also puts additional strain on nonprofit providers who are already operating on a small budget and distracts them from the real work at hand.