Withholding HUD Funds a Possibility For Cities That Criminalize Homelessness

And, as part of the celebrations, HUD Secretary Julian Castro visited the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs Wednesday.  The secretary said if HUD wants to be more effective in eradicating disparity and inequality, it must do more to hold cities that receive federal funds accountable.

In Austin, some of the housing intended for people who are homeless comes from programs funded by HUD.  Over the summer, the possibility was raised of withholding HUD funding to push cities to reevaluate policies targeting the homeless.

Secretary Castro mentioned this possibility in his speech Wednesday as well.