From DC is Justice in Aging's weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.
Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
HUD Rescinds Fair Housing Guidance on Assistance Animals
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently issued a memo rescinding its fair housing guidance on assistance animals for people with disabilities. Under the Fair Housing Act, people with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations (RAs), such as waivers of no-pet policies, for assistance animals. HUD’s new memo, however, seeks to limit this right to RAs. HUD will no longer consider untrained emotional support animals (ESAs) as assistance animals and will change its fair housing enforcement policies accordingly. The memo also notes that HUD will engage in future rulemaking around animal-related RAs.
While HUD’s memo itself does not change fair housing law, it reflects the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to undermine fair housing enforcement and civil rights protections.
New Federal Data Shows Rise in Older Adult Homelessness
Newly released federal data shows that homelessness among older adults increased between 2024 and 2025 despite a decrease in overall homelessness. According to the 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) Part I, overall homelessness across the country fell by around 3%, while homelessness among older adults age 65 and over increased by nearly 7%. In total, almost 149,000 older adults age 55 and over were unhoused in 2025, accounting for about 20% of all people experiencing homelessness.
The latest AHAR data underscores the need for more investments in federal rental assistance and other programs serving low-income older adults. As Congress considers new spending bills for fiscal year 2027, advocates should urge Congress to provide the highest level of funding possible for housing and homelessness programs.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Alert: Comment on New Medicaid Work Requirements Interim Final Rule (6/2)
- Blog: People with Medicare Need Comprehensive Dental Care: Medicare Advantage Isn’t the Answer (6/1)
- Special Report: IMPACT Committee Report: Master Plan for Aging’s Year 5 In Review (5/26)
- Comment Letter: Prioritize Health Care and Programs for Older Adults and Stop Further Funding Harmful Immigration Enforcement Policies (5/20)
- Statement: Broken Promises: Governor’s May Budget Revision Would Strip Coverage from Tens of Thousands of Older Californians (5/14)
- Statement: Trump Administration’s Attacks Put Home Care at Risk (5/14)
- Blog: Why the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Asset Limit Must Go (5/13)
- Series: Protecting and Expanding California’s Home and Community-Based Services (5/4)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on HUD’s Proposed Rule on Work Requirements and Time Limits (5/1)
