Housing advocates decry Trump budget cuts

Advocates for housing programs are bashing President Trump's proposal to slash funds and accessibility to housing assistance. Trump proposed cutting a slew of federal programs to the bone in his fiscal 2021 budget released this month, but he took a particularly hard swing at housing aid.

In addition to calling for reduced funding at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the White House also called for changes to mandatory programs designed to provide housing assistance for low-income residents.

Overall, Trump’s budget would cut $8.6 billion from housing programs, a 15 percent reduction. Deeper cuts, to the tune of 43 percent, would hit public housing funds while also eliminating programs such as the National Housing Trust Fund, Home Investment Partnerships, Community Development Block Grant and Choice Neighborhoods.

The administration’s proposal would require some low-income program participants to pay a higher percentage of their income toward rent while also calling for work requirements and other restrictions for certain housing assistance.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/finance/housing/484132-housing-advocates-decry-trump-budget-cuts