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House Republicans' Plan to Cut Federal Deficit Imperils Rent Assistance for Struggling Families

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The House Republicans' proposal to dramatically cut nondefense spending to 2022 levels would have a devastating impact on struggling families who rely on rental assistance programs, housing advocates warn. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, this plan would slash housing and homelessness programs by 23%, affecting around 2.3 million families who rely on the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program to cover their rent.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House Republicans' plan would cut nondefense spending to 2022 levels, which would slash housing and homelessness programs by 23%, affecting around 2.3 million families.
  • The National Low Income Housing Coalition warns that this would have drastic negative impacts on communities' abilities to address homelessness and the housing crisis.
  • The coalition's CEO and president, Diane Yentel, stated that communities would have to take away housing assistance from people who already have it, and need it.
  • Since 2011, the Budget Control Act has led to tight spending caps for HUD programs, which has hindered the Department of Housing and Urban Development's ability to recover from cuts.
  • The Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program funding needs to rise each year just to maintain the status quo due to high inflation and rising rents.
  • A research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, Joel Griffith, stated that HUD funding has gotten out of control and that housing aid needs to be a temporary assistance program targeted towards those who are truly in need.
  • Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, agreed, stating that how much debt is too much and that the nation has an obligation to limit spending.

Statistics:

  • 2.3 million families rely on the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program to cover their rent.
  • The House Republicans' plan would slash housing and homelessness programs by 23%.
  • Median listings for rent skyrocketed 16.4% from January 2021 to January 2022, according to realtor.com.
  • Rents rose 0.6% from March to April, according to federal data.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Diane Yentel, National Low Income Housing Coalition's CEO and president
  • Joel Griffith, research fellow at the Heritage Foundation
  • Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas
  • Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.
  • Rep. Patrick McHenry
  • Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio
  • Laura Peavey, spokesperson for Rep. Patrick McHenry

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