Several news organizations have in recent days reported on a move within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to execute on President Trump’s March 1 English-as-America’s-official-language Executive Order (EO) by replacing the agency’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) policy with an English-only policy.

The New York Times on August 18 quotes HUD deputy secretary Andrew D. Hughes from a memo to employees that the EO will “enhance social and economic integration,” and reports that the agency will no longer have contracts for translation services for documents or communications, and all paper and online materials in languages other than English would be removed. Fox News, in an August 19 report, references a post on X by HUD Secretary Scott Turner saying, “… HUD will solely use English for all Departmental business and services. We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission.”

Previously, HUD had a practice of translating materials like resident brochures, documents, and forms into nearly 20 languages.

LeadingAge confirmed the announcement with HUD leadership, who said that the change would take effect “immediately.”

Next steps and timelines for removing materials and ending contracts is currently unclear. LeadingAge is deeply concerned by the change, which we think could impact housing access for people with language access needs.

**Update** On August 21, HUD removed its LEP webpage, including all materials, documents, and resources. The now-defunct website also listed the agency’s previous position of supporting language access per civil rights law.

To help with continued housing access for older adults with low incomes and language access needs, and to support housing providers in continuing to meet their legal and compliance obligations related to LEP, LeadingAge has compiled a variety of translated Multifamily Housing materials from the HUD website. These  include HUD leases and forms, disaster materials, resident fact sheets, brochures, and posters, and a fair housing video.

Find the translated resources and an explainer PDF created for members here.