A federal investigation has been launched into the city of Boston, alleging its housing practices, framed under the banner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, actively violate federal anti-discrimination laws. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the probe Thursday, citing evidence that Boston utilized federal grant money to implement “race-based preferences” – a direct contravention of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI.
HUD officials are characterizing the city’s initiatives not as genuine efforts to broaden opportunity, but as a deliberate “social engineering project.” Secretary Scott Turner stated the city appears to be prioritizing an ideological commitment to DEI over objective criteria like merit or demonstrated need. The investigation promises a thorough examination of Boston’s stated goal of embedding “racial equity into every layer of city government.”
The inquiry began with a formal letter to the Mayor’s Office of Housing, signaling HUD’s “reason to believe” Boston was misusing federal funds. Documents obtained by HUD reveal a Fair Housing Assessment explicitly outlining plans to “target homebuyer outreach” specifically at Black and Latinx families. City departments were also directed to collect racial and ethnic data to assess their performance through a “racial equity/social justice lens.”
Boston’s Housing Strategy 2025 further details a commitment to allocate at least 65% of homeownership opportunities generated by city programs to households identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). According to HUD, the policy clearly prioritizes financial housing assistance not for all low-income individuals, but “particularly BIPOC residents.”
Secretary Turner publicly condemned the practices, stating the investigation will “fully expose” the city’s actions and compel Boston into full compliance with federal law. He described the city’s approach as a “warped mentality” and vowed to dismantle policies he believes are fundamentally discriminatory.
The investigation unfolds against a backdrop of broader concerns about the state of affordable housing in America. HUD recently released its bi-annual “Worst Case Housing Needs Report,” revealing a growing crisis for low-income families struggling to find both affordable and adequate housing.
Turner has directly linked the housing challenges to national immigration policies, arguing that unchecked immigration is exacerbating the strain on the housing market and pricing out American families. He has publicly criticized previous administration policies, attributing the current housing pressures to an influx of undocumented immigrants and refugees.
The city of Boston has been contacted for comment regarding the allegations and the ongoing federal investigation. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for how cities across the nation approach housing policy and the implementation of DEI initiatives.
