Disparate Impact Law

HUD opened a civil-rights investigation on Dec. 11, 2025 into Boston’s housing practices, alleging the city used federal grant assistance for race-based preferences in violation of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI. The agency’s letter to the Mayor’s Office of Housing cites city documents that target outreach to Black and Latinx families and a goal that at least 65% of homeownership opportunities go to BIPOC households, as HUD Secretary Scott Turner vowed to bring Boston into compliance.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday he is suing Starbucks, alleging the company’s diversity goals function as illegal race-based hiring and promotion quotas and that executive bonuses were tied to specific DEI targets. The complaint cites Starbucks’ 2020 targets (40% people of color in retail/distribution jobs and 30% in corporate by 2025), alleges pay disparities favoring certain races, and seeks $10,000 for each instance of discrimination affecting Florida residents—potentially totaling tens of millions.