Community Development Category Archives

A copy of a recent internal-draft of President Trump’s FY-18 Budget was obtained by POLITICO and several advocacy organizations.  The document, dated May 4, proposes significant cuts to the HUD Budget.  The expanded document reflects many of the priorities outlined in the “Skinny Budget” released earlier this year by the Trump Administration, though readers should note that it may not reflect the final spending request which is expected May 23.   The documents, as presented, would fully zero out funding for key community development programs including CDBG, HOME, Choice Neighborhoods Initiative and make dramatic cuts to Project-Based and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, Section 811, Homeless Assistance Grants as well Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds.  The budget document proposes a modest increase to the Section 202 program.

NH&RA Executive Director Thom Amdur notes, “It is hard to imagine a more austere HUD budget proposal.  These proposed cuts, if enacted would have a devastating impact on low-income families and communities around the country.  In particular, the public housing capital backlog would be exacerbate even further and innovative programs like the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), which leverage private sector financing to recapitalize aging public housing would be crippled.  Multifamily owners of Project-Based section 8 properties will also experience substantial stress in the proposed budget.”  The National Low-Income Housing Coalition estimates that more than 250,000 families would lose their vouchers under the budget proposal.