HUD Developed and Implemented a Plan To Address Executive Order 13988

We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity’s, implementation of Executive Order 13988, which President Biden issued to prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. We performed this audit to assess HUD’s progress in developing an action plan to implement the executive order. Our audit objective was to determine whether HUD had established and implemented a plan to prevent and combat discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. HUD developed a proposed plan of action related to Executive Order 13988. According to HUD Office of General Council officials, HUD submitted its proposed plan to the White House Domestic Policy Council within 100 days of Executive Order 13988, thereby satisfying the requirements of the executive order. To implement its plan, HUD regional offices and Fair Housing Assistance Program agencies identified and notified almost all complainants who alleged gender identity or sexual orientation discrimination in accordance with its guidance. It also committed to the Equal Access Rule. As a result of developing and implementing the plan, HUD had reasonable assurance that its regional offices and FHAP agencies were properly identifying and addressing allegations of gender identity or sexual orientation discrimination in HUD programs and HUD-assisted housing and shelters.The report contains no recommendations.