Washington, DC – Members of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) hosted a national call with over 2,200 registrants yesterday, January 15, about the effects of the partial government shutdown on low-income people and communities and the affordable housing programs that serve them.
Today, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman was quoted in Affordable Housing Finance discussing how the shutdown threatens the stability of low-income households. Though HUD has prepared payments for housing vouchers and the public housing operating subsidy through February, Zaterman notes that the “existential threat” for voucher holders looms given the uncertainty of when the shutdown will end.
Now in its 18th day, the partial government shutdown, which includes the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is already having an impact on the low-income families served by public and affordable housing. The ongoing uncertainty imposes challenges for resource allocation and, if the shutdown drags on, the lack of HCV and Operating Fund payments will lead to housing instability for millions of families.
A coalition of more than 70 national organizations tell the Administration & Congress that people with the lowest incomes will be hit hardest if the shutdown continues.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), in an historic and ground-breaking role, will serve as the first woman and the first African American Chair of the powerful U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services.