Urgent Action Needed: Elon Musk and Government Efficiency Dept. Proposes to Slash Half of HUD Staff, Threatening Critical Housing Programs

The campaign calls on supporters to urge Congress to protect HUD and invites all advocates to join today’s press event.

Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency proposes to terminate at least half of all HUD employees, making it significantly more difficult for states and communities to access the federal housing, community development, and homelessness investments they need to address their most pressing challenges.

Termination of HUD employees will diminish access to key federal resources used to:

• Provide rental assistance to help low-income households afford their homes.
• Build and preserve affordable rental housing for low-income households.
• Address and prevent homelessness, which has reached its highest level on record.
• Operate and maintain public housing and other affordable housing for millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children.
• Revitalize neighborhoods, promote economic development, and improve community facilities, including infrastructure and services in low-income communities.
• Reform restrictive zoning and land use regulations that inflate housing costs.
• Investigate and enforce fair housing and civil rights laws.
• Rebuild housing and infrastructure after major disasters and mitigate future harm.

As a direct consequence of the proposed cuts, homeless shelters will close their doors, communities will stop construction on new projects to build housing and community centers, households receiving rental assistance will face immediate rent increases and evictions, and communities, families, and small businesses impacted by disasters will be unable to rebuild.

The consequences of these cuts extend beyond housing itself, with far-reaching implications across multiple sectors such as healthcare, education, and workforce development. Without stable housing, families experience worsened health outcomes, children face greater barriers to academic success, and workers struggle with job stability and economic mobility.

At a time when housing costs are far out of reach for renters and homelessness has reached an all-time high, now is the time to strengthen federal investments in affordable housing and homelessness solutions.

Advocates can take action today to urge Congress to protect HUD. Additionally, national organizations are encourage to sign on to a national letter urging Congress to protect HUD by March 4. 

Join Today’s Hands Off Housing Press Event!

We urgently encourage advocates to:

• Attend in person and bring as many staff, members, and partners as possible;
• Make and bring signs showcasing your support for affordable housing and opposition to these devastating cuts; and
• Amplify the message by mobilizing your networks to stand with us.

Final OSAH Podcast Episode: The American Institute of Architects on Architects’ Role in Public Housing

The campaign and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have released the fifth episode of their five-part podcast series. Titled “Architects for Change – Public Housing and Social Transformation,” the episode examines the role of architects in public housing and their impact on driving positive social change. This episode considers how architectural innovation in public housing can address social challenges, foster community engagement, and create environments that support social equity and climate justice.

Hosted by Chantelle Wilkinson, the episode features architects Roberta Feldman and Nathan Rich discussing the state of public housing today and its potential if the federal government chose to address the backlog of capital repairs and invest in new construction. They also talk about their experience working with resident leaders in planning for public housing and suggest ways advocates can shift public perceptions of public housing and build stronger support for increased funding.

The podcast series, developed with AIA’s Right-to-Housing Working Group, highlights the multi-sector impacts of affordable housing. Hosted by Chantelle Wilkinson and Julie Walker, the series features architects discussing human-centered design, federal policies addressing housing inequities, and innovative approaches to equity and sustainability. The series emphasizes the critical role of architects in advancing housing advocacy for a just and equitable future. New episodes will be released weekly on Soundcloud, Apple, and Spotify.

Learn more about the series here.

Recap: 2/18 OSAH Webinar with NWLC & NNEDV on Gender Justice and Housing

The campaign and Steering Committee members of the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) held a webinar on February 18 exploring the connections between gender justice and housing. Speakers from NWLC, NNEDV, and the campaign provided background information on the roots of the U.S. housing crisis and its impacts on women and LGBTQIA+ people’s economic insecurity; discussed why access to stable, affordable housing is foundational to positive outcomes for women and LGBTQIA+ people and their families; highlighted the prevalence of housing insecurity issues faced by survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV); and shared how the campaign works with multi-sector organizations to shift the narrative around affordable housing to include diverse perspectives. A storyteller from Sparking Change, a NWLC storytelling initiative, shared her own experiences with housing insecurity and the experiences of individuals and families she works with as a client advocate with Metanoia. The webinar concluded with an overview of key findings and advocacy messaging guidance from focus groups and national polling conducted by NWLC and Hit Strategies in 2024.

Watch a recording of the webinar here. Passcode: =bpN8D5V. To request a transcript of the recording please contact Sarah Hassmer at shassmer@nwlc.org.

Read more about the webinar here.

Campaign Releases Updated Fact Sheets on Disability Rights, Food Access, and Homelessness

The campaign has released three updated fact sheets highlighting the impacts of affordable housing on food access, rates of homelessness, and the well-being of people with disabilities. Access to accessible, safe, and affordable housing is out of reach for the lowest income renters, and high rental housing costs profoundly impact people with disabilities living on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In 2024, the national average rent for a basic one-bedroom rental unit was equal to 142% of the average SSI payment. Households with low-incomes often must sacrifice other essential needs to stay housed, and 45% of lower-income renter households who were behind on rent last year experienced food insufficiency as a result. The number of people experiencing homelessness has increased in recent years, and expanding access to affordable housing can stabilize vulnerable households to prevent eviction and homelessness and help households exit homelessness. The new fact sheets, which were developed in collaboration with key partners including the Center for American Progress (a campaign Roundtable Member), the Food Research & Action Center, and National Alliance to End Homelessness (both members of OSAH’s Steering Committee), draw on research to highlight the intersections between affordable housing and each of these policy areas.

Fact of the Month: Homelessness Rates are Highest Among Black and Hispanic/Latino Student Parents

Source: New America