HAs Should Have Already Received HCV and Public Housing Funding Through at Least March
Over the past few days, Democratic Senators have announced that they will not vote for the House-passed minibus package that includes HUD appropriations as long as it also contains funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Senate cannot pass the minibus without at least seven Democratic Senators voting for it, assuming full attendance.
If Congress cannot pass the HUD spending bill before midnight on Friday, January 30, the Department’s appropriations will lapse.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Senators are discussing ways to break the impasse, which could include amending the minibus or separating DHS appropriations from the broader bill. Any changes to the House-passed minibus would require both the Senate to approve—with a 60-vote threshold—and for the bill to be sent back to the House, which is currently in recess.
HUD has already obligated funding for core HA programs through at least March, and a short funding lapse will not impact those obligations. To that end:
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: The Department has already obligated Housing Assistance Payments (HAP), admin fees, and Mainstream funding through March. While HUD staff are currently processing round 9 shortfall payments, these will likely not be obligated before Friday. If funding lapses, the Department plans to bring in additional staff to continue processing shortfall payments and front-load requests
- Public Housing: HUD has provided operating funding through April. The Department cautions that—due to lower-than-expected operating funding in the minibus—HAs’ full-year public housing proration will be less than the 89% that HUD has used so far this year. Much to PHADA’s dismay, prorations could fall below 80% because HUD will have to impose the cuts halfway through the federal fiscal year.
Members who have not received expected HCV or public housing funding should contact their Field Office immediately and may also reach out to: policy@phada.org.
Given the chaotic funding environment, PHADA will continue to advocate for HUD to delay compliance with burdensome regulations, including cash management and EIV-SAVE verifications.
PHADA will provide additional appropriations updates throughout the week through Breaking News and social media.