President’s Forum: Down to the Wire on FY 25 Funding

Please Register Your Input with Congress

As we all know too well, Congress opted to defer action on a final FY 25 budget until mid-March even though the deadline was last October 1. The latest target is now just a little more than one month away. As a result of the impending deadline, lawmakers have begun to consider top-line amounts for various domestic discretionary accounts. They will then divide up those funds to the dozen subcommittees that fund government accounts annually.?

In light of the ongoing deliberations, it is essential that we communicate with our elected officials. Indeed, this is a critical time to ensure that affordable housing programs receive the funding needed to continue serving families. PHADA is urging members to advocate now with their members of Congress for funding equal to at least at the Senate’s proposed level.

A breakdown of the House and Senate bills’ major provisions on housing accounts can be found in our Position Paper.?The Senate’s version allocates $78.2 billion for HUD programs, an overall 11.5 percent increase from FY 24, including a vital 12 percent increase for the Housing Choice Voucher program. In contrast, the House proposed only $64.8 billion, a 7.5 percent decrease.

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Our Work with Other National Organizations?

PHADA has been working with other industry groups (CLPHA, NAHRO, the MTW Collaborative) in joint efforts to advocate for adequate funding. On an even larger scale, we are engaged with scores of other national organizations to articulate the need for HUD programs. In both instances, we are stressing how the House bill would result in negative outcomes, especially for children and elderly residents we serve.?

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Effect on Vulnerable Populations?

Studies show that Section 8 vouchers and other rental assistance programs have promising effects on children’s education. The research indicates these programs can reduce school absences, improve test scores, and potentially lead to better long-term educational and economic outcomes. We believe that funding cuts would deprive countless children of the opportunity to thrive.

Similarly, without sufficient resources, HAs may be forced to take measures that undermine our ability to serve vulnerable populations including deferring critical maintenance and capital improvements, harming the quality of life for low-income residents. Cuts could also lead to the reduction or elimination of supportive services that are essential for keeping veterans and elderly residents safely housed and independent, further aggravating the challenges faced by the most at-risk people in our communities.

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Use PHADA Information and Act Now!

In sum, it is essential that Congress furnish adequate funding as HAs already face ongoing challenges, including operating and HCV shortfalls, rising insurance premiums, historically high tenant accounts receivable, increasing maintenance costs, and at least a $90 billion capital needs backlog.

While PHADA and the other industry groups are all doing what the groups can do on our behalf in Washington, it is essential that we each weigh in with our own members of Congress. The timing is short, and the stakes are very high.?

We urge you to review PHADA’s position paper and act now by contacting your elected officials to educate lawmakers and advocate for our programs. PHADA has previously provided two resources—a phone call script?and a letter template—available with suggestions that can be tailored to include information relevant to your local community. Please use this material if you like, but in any case, act now. Thank you.?