The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) closed its civil rights investigation into the alleged improper distribution of $1 billion in Hurricane Harvey relief funds through the CDBG-Mitigation program by the Texas General Land Office (GLO).
HUD began its investigation in 2021 after the Houston Chronicle and local non-profits found that the funds had been disproportionately distributed to inland counties that suffered less damage from Hurricane Harvey and were at a lesser risk from future storms than Houston and Harris County. This investigation raised concerns that the distribution of funds was in violation of Title VI, the Fair Housing Act, and the Housing and Community Development Act. In 2022, HUD found that the funds had been unfairly allocated, and in January 2025 reaffirmed that conclusion, adding that a subsequent distribution of $1.2 billion in relief funds by the GLO had again violated the Fair Housing Act and referring the case to the Justice Department.
The most recent HUD decision, released on January 28, found the allegations “baseless and unfounded,” overturning the two prior rulings and clearing the GLO of violating Title VI, the Fair Housing Act, and the Housing and Community Development Act.
