The Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened civil-rights investigations into the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota over alleged race-based dorm programs, the agency confirmed to Fox News Digital. The probe follows complaints from the Equal Protection Project that named specific living-learning communities at both universities and said marketing, titles and descriptions may steer students by race, color or national origin.
The complaints obtained by Fox News Digital identify programs at UConn including ScHOLA²RS House, BSOUL House and La Comunidad Intelectual, and at the University of Minnesota including Huntley House, Charlotte’s Home, CASA SOL and Tsev Hmoob. HUD said the allegations could implicate the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and constitutional equal-protection guarantees.
What HUD announced about race-based dorm programs
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity confirmed it received complaints from the Equal Protection Project and has opened civil-rights inquiries into the named campus programs. The agency told Fox News Digital it will examine whether program descriptions, recruitment or promotional materials improperly steer students by race, color or national origin.
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig Trainor told Fox News Digital the department will “fully investigate the allegations against the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota to determine if they are, in fact, violating the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” (statement to Fox News Digital)
Programs named and the complaint’s claims
The Equal Protection Project’s filings list residential communities that, the group says, were described or promoted in ways tied to race or ethnicity. The complaints say the programs offer housing plus peer mentoring, coursework, events and shared residential space, and argue promotional language and imagery could discourage students who do not match a listed race or background from applying.
As described in the complaints, examples include marketing that labels a community as “designed for Black men” or “designed for Latinx students,” which the filings say could steer ordinary readers toward or away from particular dorm options even where the programs include language stating they are “open to all.” The Equal Protection Project framed the filings as an effort to challenge what it described as racially targeted marketing of residential programs; those remain allegations pending HUD’s review.
Legal basis for the probe
HUD said its review will consider whether any program materials or practices violate the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and constitutional equal-protection principles. The FHA prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, and HUD enforces FHA provisions for housing-related programs and activities.
Title VI bars discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance; many public universities and their housing offices fall within that scope. HUD’s inquiry will assess both whether conduct was intentional and whether practices have a discriminatory effect, because federal enforcement can proceed on either theory depending on the evidence.
Responses from the universities and HUD
Both institutions denied wrongdoing in statements to Fox News Digital. A University of Minnesota spokesperson said the school was not aware of the probe before being contacted and emphasized that its Living Learning Communities “are open to all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, which is clearly stated on our website.” The university added it believes its programs comply with federal regulations and anti-discrimination laws. (University of Minnesota statement to Fox News Digital)
UConn similarly told Fox News Digital it “does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other aspect of identity, including in our on-campus housing,” and described nearly 20 interdisciplinary living and learning communities it says are organized around interests or academic pursuits and remain open to all students. (UConn statement to Fox News Digital)
HUD Secretary Scott Turner issued a statement to Fox News Digital condemning unlawful housing discrimination and stressing enforcement: “Unlawful discrimination cannot be allowed to poison American communities or separate members of our next generation — especially in college and university housing. Institutions that engage in unlawful housing discrimination will be held accountable.” (Scott Turner statement to Fox News Digital)
What happens next
HUD’s civil-rights inquiries typically begin with formal notice to the institutions named, followed by document requests and a period of fact-gathering. HUD confirmed to Fox News Digital that it sent notice of the investigation to the University of Minnesota ahead of publication. The agency may request marketing materials, web archives, internal communications and interviews with staff or students as part of its review.
Possible outcomes range from dismissal of the complaints to negotiated resolutions requiring changes in practices or materials, administrative orders, or referrals to the Justice Department for litigation. The length of an investigation depends on the volume of records, the need for on-campus interviews, and whether the parties reach a settlement that resolves HUD’s concerns.
Next steps for campuses and students
Universities generally review marketing and application materials while cooperating with federal inquiries. Students and parents concerned about housing access can monitor official university communications and HUD public notices. Any changes to program names, descriptions or recruitment practices could result from negotiated resolutions if HUD finds statutory violations.
The Equal Protection Project’s complaints and HUD’s confirmation to Fox News Digital set the immediate factual record; the allegations are subject to further agency review and potential enforcement.
Source attribution and links: Reporting by Fox News Digital; complaints filed by the Equal Protection Project obtained by Fox News Digital; HUD and university statements to Fox News Digital. For the Fox News report, see: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/key-trump-agency-top-universities-crosshairs-alleged-race-based-dorm-program.
