Please see this update below from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and please see the quick link below to write your members of Congress:
The U.S. House of Representatives passed yesterday a harmful budget proposal that would lift the debt ceiling in exchange for dramatic cuts to domestic spending, including funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs.
It is unacceptable to balance the federal budget by slashing programs that help the lowest-income households survive. While the bill is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, it is vital that advocates weigh in with their senators – regardless of political party – TODAY to urge them to oppose any cuts to key affordable housing and homelessness programs. Advocates can also join a “Spring into Action” mobilization effort between May 9 and May 18 to make your voice heard in Congress!
Take Action TODAY!
- Email your members of Congress today and urge them to increase – not cut – resources for affordable housing and homelessness in FY24 and to support NLIHC’s top appropriations priorities:
- $32.7 billion for the TBRA program to renew existing vouchers and to expand the program to an additional 200,000 households.
- $5.4 billion for public housing operations and $5 billion for public housing repairs.
- $3.8 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program.
- $100 million for legal assistance to prevent evictions.
- $3 billion for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program.
- $300 million for the competitive tribal housing grants, targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
- Sign your organization on to the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding’s (CHCDF) annual budget letter, calling on Congress to reject spending cuts and instead provide the highest possible allocation for HUD’s and USDA’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in FY24.
Background
The Republican proposal, known as the “Limit, Save, and Grow Act,” would cut federal domestic spending for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to FY22 levels, resulting in at least a 23% reduction in funding for key programs, depending on how cuts are designed. The proposal would also limit future spending increases to 1% annually for 10 years, rescind unspent COVID-19 relief funds, and put in place rigid work requirements for some anti-poverty programs, among other harmful provisions.
In a letter outlining the potential impacts of the proposal, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge observed that if enacted, the cuts proposed in the bill would cause “mass evictions.” Nearly 1 million households currently being served by HUD’s rental assistance programs could lose their assistance and up to 120,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness would be served. Without adequate funding for vital federal affordable housing and homeless assistance programs, millions of the lowest-income and most marginalized households would continue to experience homelessness or remain at risk, paying more than half their limited income on rent.
The White House has also released state-by-state factsheets highlighting the devastating impacts of the proposed extreme budget cuts.
While the Republican budget proposal will not pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, its passage in the House could give more leverage to Republicans in budget negotiations, which could lead to steep spending cuts for affordable housing and homelessness programs.
It is vitally important that you call your senator and demand that they vote “no” on this unacceptable proposal. Please also share this Call to Action with your networks!
Start Planning Now! “Spring into Action” from May 8 to 19
From May 8 to May 19, join NLIHC and “Spring into Action” with a two-week mobilization effort to oppose deep budget cuts and urge Congress to invest in affordable housing and homelessness programs at the scale needed. More info to come on that!
