Yesterday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation Housing and Urban Development released and approved their 2018 spending bill, which cuts HUD programs by $487 million below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. While this is $6.9 billion above the President’s request, these cuts would still have real impacts on New York families.
For New York State, the cuts would mean:
- ~14,000 families using Section 8 vouchers to pay rent would be at risk of homelessness.
- $330 million decrease to NYCHA capital funding.
- NYCHA expects 2,500 residents would be impacted in 23 buildings needing boiler replacement. Another 2,250 residents would be impacted at one development that would be unable to repair brickwork causing water damage.
- 11% cut to HOME funds, which help fund supportive housing development and homeownership opportunities statewide.
- 3% cut to Community Development Block Grants, including a $6 million cut to HPD, which uses funds for Code Enforcement.
- No new HUD VASH vouchers for returning veterans. House funding only covers renewal of current vouchers.
Fortunately, none of the Executive budget’s dangerous rental reform proposals were included in the House THUD budget. While the House Appropriations bill may be better than the President’s draconian budget request, the House budget fails to provide needed federal investment in affordable and public housing. The decreases to NYCHA capital funding will continue the deterioration of public housing buildings across New York, impacting the health and well-being of residents plagued by mold. HUD cuts will also exacerbate the growing homelessness crisis in New York, as housing agencies will be unable to issue Section 8 rental assistance vouchers and will have less capital dollars to create and preserve affordable homes. Additionally, proposed cuts will impact the ability to enforce housing quality standards for all New Yorkers.