Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Apr. 2 that a federal appeals court has upheld a ruling blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict funding for a key homelessness assistance program. The decision follows a lawsuit led by Nessel and other states against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) over changes to its Continuum of Care program, which provides significant federal support for permanent housing.
The ruling is significant because it prevents new conditions that could have reduced access to housing for thousands nationwide, including many in Michigan. According to Nessel, “While the federal government felt comfortable gambling with the lives of thousands of Americans by forcing them onto the street, I am relieved that the Court has once again upheld the rule of law. I will continue to defend vulnerable Michiganders from heartless, unlawful conditions that weaponize federal funding and pull the rug out from under them.”
The appeals court found that if HUD’s planned restrictions were allowed, they would be “immediately destabilizing and disastrous for their constituents.” Last year alone, Michigan received more than $100 million through this grant program. The contested restrictions would have put an estimated 7,000 households at risk in Michigan—including about 2,000 families with children—according to information released by Nessel’s office.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations according to its official website. The department also focuses on serving residents through initiatives in public service and protection as stated on its website.
Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to state records. The department operates with statewide authority to protect residents across Michigan as reported by its official site, including drafting policy such as the Clean Slate law in 2019 for expungement opportunities according to state sources.
This recent legal outcome underscores how state-level action can influence national policy regarding vulnerable communities’ access to stable housing.
