Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), along with all the Committee’s Democratic members, sent a letter on June 27 to Committee Chair Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) requesting hearings with HUD Secretary Ben Carson and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to discuss President Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2018 budget request, which slashes affordable housing and other essential programs.
“This Committee must be vigilant in examining this budget request and the potential negative consequences for individuals and families, including the impact of the rent reform proposals that would increase rent burdens on many of the lowest income households in this country,” the Committee Members wrote. “In general, the proposed HUD budget raises serious questions regarding HUD’s ability to serve our nation’s most vulnerable households, and about this Administration’s commitment to carrying forth the statutory mission of HUD.”
The president’s budget blueprint proposes a 15% or $7.4 billion reduction to HUD’s budget from FY17 enacted levels, as well as significant cuts to USDA’s rural housing programs and the elimination of key USDA rural development programs. The budget also includes several provisions that give HUD the authority to increase the financial burden on current and future tenants.
The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF), led by NLIHC, urges Congress to work together to fully fund HUD and USDA housing and community development programs, and provide relief from the austere spending caps required by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
Read the full letter from Financial Services Committee Democrats at: http://bit.ly/2tuBnTe
Review NLIHC’s analysis of the Trump Administration’s budget request at: http://bit.ly/2rwM9ae
Read the CHCDF’s letter to Congress on FY18 budget and appropriations at: http://bit.ly/2p0QAVR