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Federal cuts: Minnesota law nonprofit that fights housing discrimination loses $425K grant

A Minnesota nonprofit that combats housing discrimination has announced a major loss in funding as President Donald Trump's newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, directs sweeping cuts and funding freezes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid said it was informed on Feb. 27 that its $425,000 grant from HUD has been canceled. The nonprofit, which works to uphold Minnesota's fair housing laws, had received the federal grant for 30 consecutive years, the organization said. Julia Zwak, the managing attorney in the organization's housing unit, said the grant – which came from HUD's Fair Housing Initiative Program – provided 100% of the funding of MMLA's fair housing budget. "Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid's HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program grant allowed us to serve hundreds of renters each year who have experienced housing discrimination," Zwak said. "We help disabled renters whose landlords refuse to let them have a service animal, families whose landlords discriminate against them based on their family size, renters whose landlords engage in blatant discrimination based on race or national origin, and more." Zwak said at this time, MMLA doesn't have any plans to lay off staff as a result of the grant cancelation, but acknowledges that it is "a hit to our budget which will need to be filled from other sources." "The $425,000 grant cancelation will pose a modest organizational impact for MMLA overall, but it is one we won't be able to bear forever – nor should we, as this is a fundamental justice issue here in Minnesota," she said. "We are committed to this work and we will continue doing it,' promises Executive Director Milo Mumgaard added. "The stakes for clients living on margins are just too high not to, but the loss of $425K is a hit no matter how we look at it." Bring Me The News reached out to HUD for comment earlier this week, but has not received a response.