Overview
- Filed Nov. 24, the district-court complaint seeks a temporary injunction and ultimate invalidation of TDHCA rules labeled as Sectarian Exclusions.
- The challenged policies bar use of homelessness and housing dollars for worship, religious instruction or proselytization, including under the Bootstrap Loan Program.
- The lawsuit singles out programs such as Emergency Solutions Grants, Homeless Housing and Services, the Ending Homelessness Fund, HOME ARP, Housing Stability Services and the Bootstrap Loan Program.
- Paxton argues the restrictions violate the First Amendment and the Texas Constitution by conditioning access to public benefits on theological choices.
- The filing names no specific denied applicants or harmed organizations, and the housing department has not responded to requests for comment according to recent reports.