The House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee released its draft THUD spending bill on Tuesday night and marked it up last night. The draft bill not only maintains the 10% increase in the enacted fiscal year (FY) 2018 Omnibus legislation, but also provides an additional $941 million increase. Fortunately, the draft bill does not include the dangerous rent increases and work requirements proposed in Trump’s FY 2019 budget request.
The bill largely increases or maintains funding for HUD programs compared to FY 2018 levels, including public housing capital and operating funding. Also, there is also new program funding in the bill. $50 million has been allocated for a new Mobility Voucher Demonstration program to help families with young children move to areas of opportunity.
However, the bill does not contain all good news, several housing programs would receive funding decreases compared with the FY 2018 budget including: HOME, 202, 811 and Rural Rental Assistance programs. There is also likely not enough funding to renew all Section 8 existing contracts. Please see NLIHC’s detailed budget chart for specific program funding levels.
There is still time for changes to be made. The bill will move to the full Appropriations Committee and then possibly the House floor before summer recess. Thus, your continued advocacy for more HUD and USDA funding is still critical! Call your members of Congress and let them know how important affordable housing is to you and why they need to support additional housing investments in this year’s spending bill.