Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan
According to experts who reviewed unpublished rules obtained by ProPublica, the Trump administration's draft plans could lead to 4 million people losing federal housing assistance. The proposed changes would introduce time limits on living in public housing, work requirements for many recipients of federal housing aid, and strip aid from entire families if one household member is in the country illegally.
The rules, which have not been publicly released, are expected to be finalized soon. If implemented, they would mark a significant shift in the administration's approach to housing assistance, which has long been criticized by conservatives as overly generous and ineffective.
"This is a devastating blow to low-income families who rely on these programs to keep a roof over their heads," said Diane Yentel, executive director of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. "The Trump administration's proposal would push millions of people into homelessness or force them to live in overcrowded conditions."
The proposed rules would also allow states and local governments to impose work requirements on recipients of federal housing assistance. This could include full-time employment or participation in job training programs.
"This is a classic example of the 'work requirement' trap," said Rachel Siegel, a senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "While it may sound reasonable to require people to work in exchange for benefits, the reality is that many low-income families are already working multiple jobs just to make ends meet."
The Trump administration's proposal has been met with opposition from housing advocates and lawmakers who argue that it would exacerbate existing housing shortages and push more people into poverty.
"This plan is a recipe for disaster," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee. "It would strip aid from families who need it most, including those with disabilities and veterans."
The proposed rules are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to overhaul federal housing programs. The changes are expected to be finalized soon, but it's unclear when they will take effect.
In related news, the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing last week to discuss the proposal, with several lawmakers expressing concerns about its impact on low-income families.
The Trump administration has not commented publicly on the proposed rules or their potential impact. However, in a statement released earlier this year, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said that the administration is committed to "modernizing" federal housing programs to make them more effective and efficient.
As the debate over the proposal continues, one thing is clear: millions of people could lose access to critical housing assistance if the Trump administration's plan is implemented.
*Reporting by Propublica.*
