60,000 families in US may become homeless as Trump administration's $5,000,000,000 federal housing aid runs dry

Economic Times

21-04-2025

Thousands of Americans, including survivors of homelessness and domestic abuse, could face eviction as the $5 billion Emergency Housing Voucher program nears depletion. Launched during the pandemic to offer rent relief, the program supported over 60,000 households. Without renewed funding from Congress, families risk losing their homes and returning to unsafe or unstable living conditions.
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Program running out of funds
Eviction risks for vulnerable populations
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Pressure on Congress to extend funding
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The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, which supports over 60,000 families, is quickly running out of funding. The funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, totaling $5 billion, will be exhausted by the end of next year as rental prices increase at a steady pace. The Emergency Housing Voucher funds, originally dedicated through 2028. will likely finish in 2025.The US Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) issued a notification to housing agencies, warning them about lacking continued funding support. An evacuation of tens of thousands of families could occur if the program loses funding because they would no longer have protection against eviction. The termination of funding would negatively impact all vulnerable population segments, starting with children and moving to seniors and veterans.The EHV program initiated its operations during 2021 by offering rental assistance to people who needed help, including family victims of violence and human trafficking victims, together with low-income families. The program served essential functions in San Francisco as well as Dallas and Tallahassee. Rising rental prices have consumed the program funds more rapidly than projectors had expected. Experts in housing predict that without funding, there will be a critical situation for marginalized people that will intensify the current housing affordability issues.The termination of financial help threatens to reverse the advancement in creating permanent shelter solutions for at-risk communities. According to Sonya Acosta from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 'This funding loss will reverse all family advancement,' she stated. The program supports survivors of domestic violence , providing them safety, but their security is threatened when they may either face dangerous home environments or repetitive homelessness experiences.The families who participated in the program now face chaos as they must urgently secure housing because the program termination abolishes their support. The termination would force some beneficiaries back to shelters or lead others to put themselves at risk in insecure housing situations.An extension of the EHV program depends on Congress passing new funding allocations. Democratic Representative Maxine Waters requested an $8 billion extension of the program, but Republicans continue to resist this funding due to their desire to decrease public spending. The lack of replies from leading GOP members to housing advocates creates concern because numerous families could lose their homes if urgent measures are not taken.Organizations that depend on rental assistance want fast congressional support because funds are rapidly running out. American vulnerable groups face the mounting danger of homelessness if funding for the program expires, as this will expand the existing housing crisis.It's a federal initiative created under the American Rescue Plan to provide rental assistance to individuals facing homelessness, domestic violence, or human trafficking.The US Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that the program's funding will be depleted by the end of 2025.