Equity
Encampment removal lawsuit elevated to class action against Berkeley, California
Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled on July 14 that a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Berkeley's procedures for clearing homeless encampments can proceed as a class action. The plaintiffs allege that the city violated constitutional protections of property during the clearing process, and that the 72-hour parking restriction potentially violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Cities address root causes of health disparities
Six cities, including Lawrence, Indiana, have been selected for the National League of Cities' Health and Well-being Accelerator project, which uses cross-sector collaboration and data-driven strategies to address health inequities such as life expectancy gaps.
Residents in some neighborhoods live 30 years longer. Researchers developed a model to close that gap.
Life expectancy gaps among U.S. communities can reach 30 years. Researchers developed a "Universal Basic Community" model, which evaluates community health assets based on 35 indicators and was piloted in two Louisville communities to promote equitable distribution of health resources and improve overall life expectancy.
How the new NYC schools chief plans to improve rigor and equity
Kamal Samuels, the new chancellor of New York City public schools, spoke with K-12 Dive about his plans to raise academic rigor and educational equity, including promoting NYC Reads and NYC Solves, replacing gifted programs with IB curricula, communication strategies for school mergers, and sharing best practices across districts.
HUD appeals ruling that paused its plans to cut Housing First
HUD is appealing a December ruling that temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plans to drastically change its homelessness programs. The agency announced the appeal in a press release on Tuesday. The overhaul could affect tens of thousands of people who receive housing through its Continuum of Care grant program. HUD seeks to cut most permanent supportive housing funding, redirecting it toward temporary transitional housing with work requirements and mandatory addiction and mental illness treatment. On March 2, the agency filed an emergency motion to pause the ruling, but it was denied by the court. On Monday, HUD requested the First Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the injunction.
Federal energy-assistance programs survive budget gauntlet
The U.S. federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) received approximately $4.05 billion in funding for fiscal year 2026, an increase of $20 million from 2025, despite the Trump administration's attempts to eliminate its funding. Another weatherization assistance program also received a small funding increase, but related expansion legislation is still awaiting a vote in the House of Representatives.
New Jersey towns hit another wall in fight against state’s affordable housing mandate
A federal judge ruled on Monday that 27 New Jersey towns lack standing in their lawsuit challenging the state's affordable housing law. The ruling marks another failure in the legal challenge led by the local group 'Local Leaders for Responsible Planning.' Housing advocates welcomed the decision, viewing it as a victory for advancing housing affordability in the state.
Federal $10 Billion Child Care Funding in Limbo, Local U.S. Counties and Cities Face Budget Shock
A federal judge's temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's freeze on over $10 billion in family assistance funds for five states expires this Friday, leaving local counties, cities, and aid agencies facing an uncertain financial outlook. The five states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York—filed a lawsuit on January 8 in response to the freeze announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on January 6. Clare Sanford, vice president of government relations at the Minnesota Child Care Association, said the funding freeze has caused "quite a bit of confusion and fear" locally.