Jennifer Ludden
Appearances
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-19-2025 6PM EST
The National Urban League, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago are all help black, brown, and LGBTQ people. They say those groups have historically been denied equal access to housing, health care, and other rights, and if they can't specifically target them, they can't do their jobs.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-19-2025 6PM EST
Their lawsuit challenges three of President Trump's executive orders on DEI, illegal discrimination, and gender ideology. Trump says he's ending policies to, quote, socially engineer race and gender issues, But the lawsuit alleges the orders violate constitutional amendments on free speech and equal protection. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-21-2025 8PM EST
Trump's efficiency team, Doge, wants to cut staff at the federal housing agency by half, but the office that funds homelessness would lose more, 84 percent, according to a document NPR has seen. Ann Oliva with the National Alliance to End Homelessness says that would go far beyond Washington, D.C.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 02-21-2025 8PM EST
A spokesperson says the housing agency continues to carry out its critical functions. Local nonprofits are waiting to receive several billion dollars for rent and other support to keep people off the streets. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-19-2025 4PM EDT
I am worried for our democracy, so I have read that the best way to bring down the attempt of authoritarians is to take to the streets.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-17-2025 2PM EDT
The move targets the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, which coordinates policy among 19 agencies. It was created in 1987 precisely to make government more efficient, says Jeff Olivet, who led it most recently. The memo calls for reducing the agency to the minimum required by law. But with just 20 people, he says it's already bare bones.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-17-2025 2PM EDT
Olivet credits the agency with helping dramatically reduce veteran homelessness and helping certain cities stem the rise in people sleeping outside. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-07-2025 3PM EDT
In Emporia, Virginia, Trinity Woods Senior Living desperately needs new central air conditioning. Their old system died three years ago. Resident Dena Moore says summers are too hot even for bingo nights. Last year, it was god-awful. The Department of Housing and Urban Development had awarded them and hundreds of other places money for an upgrade, potentially including solar panels.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-07-2025 3PM EDT
But now, HUD says energy efficiency does not fit its mission. Julia Gordon oversaw the HUD program under President Biden and says it would help private industry that's providing badly needed affordable housing.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-07-2025 3PM EDT
Legal challenges allege that freezing this congressionally approved funding is unlawful. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-18-2025 3PM EDT
The housing agency HUD says its 1968 building faces more than $500 million in deferred maintenance and that current staff only occupy half the space, even as its workforce shrinks. HUD Secretary Scott Turner says right-sizing will be more efficient and less costly for taxpayers. He's also called the massive, brutalist-style building ugly. It could be tricky to sell.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-18-2025 3PM EDT
It's on the National Register of Historic Places. HUD says staying in the D.C. area is a priority. But this week, President Trump made it easier for agencies to move outside large cities, saying they need to be where the people are. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington.