Senate Committee Approves FY19 Funding for HUD Programs
This week, Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill, maintaining the increases provided in FY18. The bill provides $44.5 billion in funding for HUD programs, an increase of $1.8 billion above the FY2018 enacted level and rejects the President’s FY19 budget request, which included program cuts and proposed rent reforms. According to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chairman of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, “This bipartisan bill is the product of considerable negotiation and compromise. I worked closely with Ranking Member Reed in drafting this bill…The funding in this legislation will allow us to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, while fully funding the renewal of housing assistance for low-income seniors and other vulnerable populations, such as teenagers and veterans who are homeless.” The proposed funding levels for Project-Based Rental Assistance ($11.7 billion, compared with $11.5 billion in FY18) and the Housing Choice Voucher program ($22.8 billion, compared with $22 billion in FY18). In addition, the bill provides $678 million to the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program, equal to FY 2018 funding, with $51 million set aside for new units and $10 million for home modification grants to help low-income seniors age in place. The bill provides $154 million for Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities, equal to the House version and $75 million less than FY 2018 funding. The funding level for the HOME Investment Partnership program stays at the $1.362 billion and $3.3 billion is provided for Community Development Block Grants, the same level enacted in FY18. Full Senate floor action is expected later in June, similar to the House of Representatives. However, the major hurdle remains President’s Trump threat to veto funding bills.House considers bipartisan legislation to improve access to homelessness assistance
This week, the House Financial Services Committee considered “the Homeless Children and Youth Act,” a bipartisan bill to improve access to HUD’s housing assistance services. The bill, introduced by Representatives Steve Stivers (R-OH) and David Loebsack (D-IA), would amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to reduce barriers to assistance services designed to meet the needs of homeless children, youth, and families. Specifically, H.R. 1511 aligns the HUD definition for homelessness with the definition used to verify eligibility for other federal programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, expanding access to the programs and alleviating confusion between agencies. Witnesses at the legislative review included Barbara Duffield of SchoolHouse Connection; Kat Lilley, of Family Promise of Colorado Springs; Millie Rounsville of the Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency; and Steve Berg of the National Alliance to End Homlessness. “We held this hearing today to dive a little deeper into the definition of homelessness…We need to make sure that the definition of homelessness is uniform throughout all federal programs,” said Subcommittee Chairman Sean Duffy (R-WI). A companion bill has also been introduced in the Senate by Senators Portman (R-OH) and Feinstein (D-CA). For more information on the Committee’s review, click here.The House Passes Rescission Package
The week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that included President Donald Trump’s request to cancel about $15 billion in unspent funds left over from previous years. The bill, “Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act” (H.R. 3), passed on Thursday night by a vote of 210 to 206. The legislation now moves to the Senate where it has a chance at passing under a 1974 budget law that allows such presidential requests to pass with a simple majority. That could allow Republicans to bypass opposition from Democrats. However, Senate Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowksi of Alaska have indicated they may oppose the measure. NAHMA will continue advocating against the bill, as it includes some problematic cuts to USDA Rural Rental Assistance ($40 million) and other affordable housing programs.UP NEXT: What NAHMA is watching for next week
- NAHMAnalysis on FY19 Appropriations (Comparison of House, Senate, and Administration’s proposed levels)
- House and Senate Floor voting to approve FY19 THUD funding
- Senate Considers Rescission Package
- NAHMA staff participate in the National Apartment Association Conference in San Diego