White House Wants To Dump Rental Assistance

Last week, the New York Times reported that the White House is considering making sweeping changes to federal housing vouchers, including Section 8.

Anonymous sources in the Times  story told the reporter the proposed changes would likely result in fewer federal dollars allocated for low-income families.

According to government estimates, there are currently 2.3 million low-income families currently receiving assistance through the federal voucher program. In total, rental assistance programs currently exceed $54 billion this year. Of course, demand is greater, with substantial wait lists for assistance.

In fact, it’s estimated only one in four families in need of assistance receive it. Many Twin Cities housing providers have residents who receive this aid.

Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought, who was also one of the chief architects of Project 2025, has previously stated his belief that Section 8 brings with it crime, decreased property values and results in dependency.

The cuts would be part of the president’s budget, which he will submit to Congress this year.

Approximately 2300 HUD employees recently opted to accept an offer of “deferred resignation” and leave their jobs.

The Trump administration has also taken initial steps toward potentially selling the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s headquarters in Washington.

Of course, theoretically the budget has to get through Congress for this to happen.

If you’d like to share your opinion of how such changes may impact you as a housing provider with your representative, the Congressional switchboard can be reached at (202) 224-3121. The will connect you to your representative or senator’s office.