HUD secretary shuts down left-wing city’s DEI criteria for Hurricane Helene relief

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner made a bold statement by shutting down a hurricane relief draft plan put forth by the city of Asheville, North Carolina. The plan included a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative that would have prioritized some residents over others, which Turner deemed unacceptable.

In his announcement, Turner emphasized that DEI is no longer supported at HUD, and that funding will not be provided to any program or grantee that does not comply with President Trump’s executive orders. The focus now is on helping thousands of North Carolinians rebuild after Hurricane Helene by directing funding assistance to impacted businesses, nonprofit organizations, and neighborhoods. Turner made it clear that Asheville’s draft action plan, which incorporated DEI criteria to prioritize some impacted residents over others, would not be approved.

The city of Asheville, North Carolina, known for being a Democratic stronghold in a state that has historically elected Republican presidential candidates, had posted a draft plan on its website outlining how it would distribute millions of dollars for Hurricane Helene disaster relief. One section of the plan, titled “How Programs Will Support Vulnerable Populations,” detailed that minority- and women-owned businesses would be prioritized for assistance.

HUD took action after being alerted to the language in the draft plan and determined that it was not in compliance with President Trump’s executive orders. Turner reiterated the importance of serving all communities regardless of race, color, or creed, and emphasized the need for adherence to these orders.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer expressed gratitude for the administration’s support in their recovery efforts and stated that the city was working closely with HUD to meet the compliance requirements of the new administration. An updated draft plan was released on March 10, excluding the section that prioritized minority- and women-owned businesses.

Turner had previously announced on Fox News that HUD was canceling $4 million in DEI contracts after uncovering $260 million in wasteful spending. The DEI contracts focused on “culture transformation” and diversity and inclusion initiatives, which Turner deemed as promoting DEI propaganda at the expense of the American taxpayer.

In conclusion, HUD’s stance on DEI initiatives remains clear under Secretary Scott Turner’s leadership. The focus is on merit-based systems and serving all communities in need, without discrimination or favoritism. Asheville has since revised its draft plan to comply with federal standards, ensuring the approval of critically needed funding for the city’s recovery efforts.