In late 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dictated that HUD-funded emergency shelters comply with "gender identity" ideology to receive federal funding. Across the country, places of refuge for women and children escaping male violence were forced to house men who identify as women in living areas previously set aside strictly for women and children.

Women and children who simply want and need to escape male violence are being told to leave what were supposed to be women-only shelters if they won't share sleeping and washroom facilities with male clients. HUD’s policy is failing traumatized women, and even adding to their harm.