Boston, MA – On March 26, Judge Richard G. Stearns of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the termination of 78 Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants. The grants had been abruptly terminated on February 27, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at the behest of the agency’s internal task force of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These grants are vital and timely tools in the fight against housing discrimination.
On March 13, Relman Colfax, on behalf of the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, Intermountain Fair Housing Council, Fair Housing Council of South Texas - San Antonio Fair Housing Council, and Housing Research and Advocacy Center - Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research, filed a class complaint and motion for a TRO. The lawsuit challenges the abrupt and unjustified decision to terminate 78 FHIP grants that were previously awarded to 66 non-profit organizations providing critical resources to promote fair housing and combat discrimination nationwide. The lawsuit also names DOGE as a defendant.
Under the terms of the TRO, HUD must immediately restore Plaintiffs to the preexisting status quo by reinstating any FHIP grants terminated by HUD on February 27, 2025. In addition, HUD is enjoined from terminating any other FHIP grant via similar means. On March 27, HUD sent a memo to all impacted grantees about the reinstatement of their grants.
This decision comes just one day after the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, et al. v. HUD hearing on March 25, 2025. By close of business on March 28, Defendants are ordered to file a status report confirming that they are in compliance with the court’s order. The TRO will remain in place for at least 14 days.
The legal action represents a unified effort by Relman Colfax, members of the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), and other non-profit organizations to safeguard fair housing programs that are essential to advancing justice and equity in housing across the country.
“The judge’s order is an important step forward. Reinstating the grants is critical relief that will allow us to continue serving our community and its fair housing needs,” said Maureen St. Cyr, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, one of the named plaintiffs.
Relman Colfax Partner Yiyang Wu praised the court’s decision, stating, “We are heartened by the judge’s decision to ensure these programs, which are lifelines for communities striving for equitable housing, can continue for now. We will continue fighting to protect those on the front lines for combatting housing discrimination.”
The Relman Colfax litigation team consists of Reed Colfax, Zoila Hinson, Robert Hunter, Rebecca Livengood, Lila Miller, and Yiyang Wu.