On May 2, the White House delivered a broad overview of its FY26 to Congress. This “skinny” budget request includes an alarming proposal to shrink federal funding for HUD by 43.6%. 

For FY26, the White House is asking Congress to block grant, or give a fixed amount of funds, for the agency’s five largest rental assistance programs (Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities) to states and to also cut funding for these programs by 42% compared to fiscal year 2025. 

In addition, the White House is requesting elimination of the HOME program and Community Development Block Grants, as well as funding reductions to homeless assistance programs.  

If adopted, these proposals would undermine almost one hundred years of federal rental assistance efforts, and could severely threaten our nonprofit and mission-driven members’ ability to serve low-income older adults. 

Now is the time to urge Congress to reject these dangerous proposals and instead support funding to:

Preserve affordable housing for older adults. Congress must fully fund Project-Based Rental Assistance, Project Rental Assistance Contracts, Service Coordinator grant renewals, and funding for increased rents needed for Rental Assistance Demonstration preservation conversions.

Expand affordable housing for older adults. Congress must provide funding to expand the supply of new Section 202 homes and provide new funding for Older Adult Special Purpose Vouchers.

Improve affordable housing for older adults. Congress must provide funding for additional Service Coordinators.