The Trump administration is halting a $1 billion program that helps preserve affordable housing, impacting tens of thousands of low-income Americans. The program, part of cuts and freezes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is being terminated by direction of the Department of Government Efficiency. Projects funded by the program aimed to upgrade at least 25,000 affordable units with energy-efficient improvements and critical repairs. These units are crucial in addressing the nation’s housing crisis and ensuring affordable housing for up to 25 years.
The potential loss of funding is jeopardizing the future of low-income tenants in buildings like the Smith Tower Apartments in Vancouver, Washington. The nearly $100 million project for updates and repairs, including a sprinkler system, is dependent on the $10 million grant. Tenants like Al Hase and Joan Starr, who rely on Social Security incomes, fear being unable to afford housing without these upgrades. Organizations are scrambling to find contingency plans, with many projects across the country now in limbo without the necessary funding.
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