Comment Submitted by California Department of Public Health

Summary: The California Department of Public Health opposes the proposed revisions to the Equal Access to Housing Rule, arguing that removing "gender" and "gender identity" protections will increase barriers to housing for transgender and gender-expansive individuals. The department emphasizes that housing is a critical social determinant of health and that weakening these protections will exacerbate homelessness and increase risks of violence and discrimination for vulnerable populations, particularly LGBTQ+ youth.