Keeping Current with HUD

HUD
Written By Noel Stefanos

Federal funding shifts toward short-term housing options for homelessness and housing programs. Graphic Credit: Stefanos Inspired LLC

Overview

Recent federal discussions have focused on restructuring how homelessness and housing programs are funded. These changes involve reducing resources for long-term housing programs—such as permanent supportive housing—and increasing support for short-term or transitional options that include temporary stays and service requirements.

This shift has raised concerns among housing advocates, service providers, and local communities about how the changes may affect people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with the most complex needs.

What’s Changing?

Based on reporting from multiple national housing and policy organizations, federal policymakers are considering:

  • Cuts to long-term housing programs, including those designed for people experiencing chronic homelessness

  • Expansion of short-term housing models, such as transitional programs with specific service or work requirements

  • Reduced funding available for renewing existing housing support, including rental assistance vouchers

  • Overall decreases in specific HUD program budgets, depending on which version of the funding plan moves forward

While details are still evolving, these changes represent a significant shift from long-term stability toward more temporary interventions.

Why Long-Term Housing Matters

Research consistently shows that long-term housing solutions—particularly permanent supportive housing—help individuals:

  • Stabilize their health

  • Maintain employment

  • Stay housed long-term

  • Reduce reliance on emergency systems

These programs are especially important for people with disabilities, chronic health needs, older adults, and those who face systemic barriers to stable housing.

Reducing their availability may increase the likelihood of individuals returning to homelessness.

Potential Community Impacts

Communities across the country may experience:

1. Increased Pressure on Local Providers

Organizations that offer case management, sheltering, and rehousing may face greater demand as fewer long-term options remain available.

2. More Short-Term Homelessness Cycles

Short-term housing alone may not meet the needs of people who require stable, long-term support to exit homelessness permanently.

3. Less Predictable Funding for Vouchers

If rental assistance renewals are underfunded, some households may lose access to the support that allows them to remain housed.

4. Greater Strain on Immigrant & Refugee Families

Families new to the U.S. often lack local support networks and face unique barriers to housing. Reduced long-term stability options may disproportionately affect them.

Why This Matters to MITC

As an organization committed to creating pathways to affordable, permanent housing for immigrant and refugee communities in Kansas City, MITC pays close attention to policy changes that influence:

  • Housing availability

  • Local support systems

  • Funding for stability-focused programs

  • Long-term opportunities for families we serve

Our mission is rooted in dignity, belonging, and opportunity. Long-term housing is essential to achieving all three.

Staying Informed

We hope to help our community understand how national decisions affect local realities and how we can work together to support stable housing for all.

If you’d like to stay updated, follow us on social media or check this page regularly for new posts.

Noel Stefanos