Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner in a February 10, 2025  public statement and press release announced plans for the agency to immediately halt enforcement of the Equal Access Rule.

The agency’s press release references both the 2012 and 2016 Equal Access rules, which aim to ensure that HUD’s housing programs would be open to all eligible individuals and families regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Secretary Turner seemed to specifically focus on the Equal Access rule initiated by the agency in 2016, which protects access to homeless shelters and other housing assistance for individuals in accordance with their gender identity. The equal access rules are seen as critical protections for people who identify as LGBTQ, specifically transgender people who were previously denied access to some shelters.

“There will be more where this came from,” said Secretary Turner, and again referenced the approach of “taking inventory” at HUD.

While the Secretary has ordered a halt to all equal access enforcement actions, the Equal Access rules are still technically in effect until the agency establishes a new official policy via the federal rulemaking process.

LeadingAge fully supports equal access and similar protections for older adults who are members of the LGBTQ community.