Federal Response

Overview

The Housing Justice Center is meeting the moment in this time of tremendous federal change. Changes at the federal level – through funding and program changes, policy and regulatory changes, and legal and structural changes – impact the affordable housing ecosystem throughout Minnesota.

The HJC Federal Response Initiative responds to this ever-shifting federal landscape and works to preserve, expand, and support affordable housing and tenant rights in Minnesota and across the country.

The work includes:

• Engaging in proactive legal advocacy to protect and preserve affordable housing in Minnesota in the face of federal funding volatility, federal regulatory and policy changes, and other changes that threaten the viability of affordable housing.
• Coordinating with the Minnesota affordable housing community and providing support as the affordable housing community as it navigates federal changes and a fluid funding landscape.
• Coordinating with national organizations to develop, support, and pursue policy and litigation approaches in response to federal changes.
• Strengthening state and local laws to preserve and bolster rights at the state level that are threatened or diminished at the federal level.

Comments to Proposed Federal Rule Changes

HJC regularly provides both legal and policy analysis of pending rule changes at the federal level that would impact affordable housing or tenants rights in Minnesota.

The includes:

• Comments to HUD’s proposed rule on mixed-status households, which would limit the availability of housing and housing assistance for households with mixed-immigration status.
• Comments on HUD’s proposed rule to impose time limits and work requirements on housing assistance in Minnesota.
• Comments to proposed changes by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau related to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
• Comments to the General Services Administration regarding proposed changes to the SAM.gov process related to required certifications by federal grantees or applicants for federal funds.
• Joint comments with other Minnesota legal service providers regarding HUD’s proposed retraction of a 30-day pre-eviction notice requirement for some forms of federally subsidized housing.
• Comments to the Federal Trade Commission’s request for comments on federal changes that could impact the imposition of junk fees on tenants.