The Potential Costs of the Trump Administration's Proposed Cuts to HUD Funding

Housing advocates blame the neglect of the federal government on the state of public housing in the United States. The Trump administration says government can't keep throwing money at the problems of public housing.

1 minute read

May 17, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Public Housing

Jason Eppink / flickr

Pam Fessler continues NPR's coverage of the Trump administration's funding of public housing, especially with the fund that pays for repairs to aging public housing facilities around the country.

Public housing officials estimate that it would cost $50 billion to fix living for the 2 million Americans currently living in public housing. "Part of the problem stems from a steady decline in public housing repair funding over the past decade. About $2 billion to $3 billion has been appropriated in recent years, half the amount approved in 2000. At the same time, the needs have grown at a more rapid rate, creating a massive backlog," according to Fessler.

According to previous coverage by Fessler from April 2019 (and Planetizen coverage from March 2019), the Trump administration's draft budget for 2020 proposing cuts to public housing repair funding in addition to eliminating the HOME program and Community Development Block Grants.

Fessler's current coverage reports on the Trump administration's support of the cuts, as explained in recent statement by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson to a House appropriations subcommittee, but the bulk of the article is devoted to describing living conditions in public housing units around the country.

Thursday, May 16, 2019 in NPR

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

3 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Rendering of Brightline West train passing through Southern California desert

Brightline West Breaks Ground

The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

4 hours ago - KTLA

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

5 hours ago - Colorado Politics

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.