It has been another active week across the federal government regarding programs and policies that impact our work to end homelessness. As promised, we want to take a moment to make sure you know what actions we are tracking at the Alliance and what you might expect from us in the next week.
Status of HUD Homeless Assistance Grants Funds
Today marks four weeks since HUD announced nearly $3.6 billion in Continuum of Care (CoC) program awards for nearly 7,000 projects across the country. Yet, it still has not taken steps to distribute this critical funding. We need to keep up the urgency and pressure through advocacy until this funding is distributed.
Early next week, please be on the lookout for a new advocacy action, directing your Members of Congress to sign on to a bipartisan letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner to quickly distribute this critical funding. The vast majority of these funds are for projects already in operation, many which have prior grants that have already expired.
The Alliance is also troubled by the news that HUD intends to “discharge 50% of its workforce” following a February 11 directive from President Donald Trump, which ordered federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs. Such cuts will have significant impacts on HUD’s ability to administer its programs. Read more from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and take action here.
Medicaid Cuts on the Table
This week, House Republicans shared a new federal budget proposal that relies upon $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, in part to offset tax cuts. It is believed that Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be targeted for deep cuts, including the imposition of work requirements.
Any changes that limit Medicaid funding or eligibility would jeopardize the health and well-being of Americans and will reduce the resources that communities need to keep people housed and healthy.
The Alliance continues to urge Members of Congress to oppose cuts to these vital safety net programs. Please keep an eye out next week for an opportunity to advocate to your lawmakers. Your advocacy continues to be our strongest resource for pushing back on harmful proposals like this.
Threats to the Equal Access Rule
As I shared last week, HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated his intention to revoke the Equal Access Rule, which ensures equal access to individuals in accordance with their gender identity in programs and shelter funded under Office of Community Planning and Development-administered programs. Yesterday, HUD began the rulemaking process to substantially revise or even repeal the Equal Access Rule although details are not fully public yet.
I want to reaffirm current regulatory protections for trans and non-binary people seeking shelter are still in place. Prior attempts during Trump’s first administration to roll back the provisions of this rule in 2020 resulted in more than 66,000 public comments that were submitted during the 60-day public comment period as part of the Housing Saves Lives Campaign. The volume and legal sophistication of this opposition response successfully blocked this effort. We will need all of you to be prepared do this again!
Threats to Fair Housing Protections
On Tuesday, Secretary Turner announced the Administration’s intent to revoke the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (AFFH). This rule was reinstated during the Biden Administration after being previously revoked in the first Trump Administration.
AFFH is a critical tool for addressing the housing discrimination caused by historical and systemic racism in our cities, towns and communities. Moreover, we know that fairer housing reduces homelessness.
Like the Equal Access Rule, the rule making process to repeal AFFH was also initiated yesterday. The Alliance will be monitoring this closely and will share further resources as actions unfold.
As always, I want to thank you for your work to end homelessness in your communities, and across this nation.