Trump Threatens Key Funding for Affordable Housing and Programs
ALBUQUERQUE – Federal cuts through the President’s “Big Beautiful Bill” are threatening key funding sources used to develop affordable housing and maintain programs that keep people housed across our city and employ key City of Albuquerque staff.
Under Trump’s budget proposal, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, would be zeroed out.
The City typically receives $4.4 million in CDBG funding and $2 million in HOME funding.
Below are affordable housing funding and programs at risk:
- Affordable Housing: $2M in HOME funding
- Affordable Housing Preservation: $965,189 in CDBG funding
- Affordable Homeownership Assistance $1.3M in CDBG and HOME funding | Served 45 people over the last year
- Tenant-based rental assistance: $536,372 in HOME funding | Served 39 people over the last year
- Eviction Prevention: $310,298 in CDBG | Up to 642 people
- CDGB funding also pays for the salaries of 10 City of Albuquerque Community Development employees. Each of these positions offers valuable support to our City. Without this funding, these positions could be eliminated.
“This bill is big and dangerous, but it’s certainly not beautiful,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s threatening to roll back the progress we’ve made as a city, and if passed, it will unhouse people in need of vital programming. I urge Congress to do the right thing for our community and the American People – vote against this destructive bill.”
Under this proposed legislation, another source of funding, the Emergency Solutions Grant program (ESG), which pays for homelessness programs and rapid rehousing vouchers, could be significantly reduced.
The City typically receives about $371,047 in ESG.
Recent studies showcase a direct connection between housing stability and the availability of affordable housing.
The reconciliation bill would also gouge Medicaid, which provides healthcare for low-income and disabled Americans.
“It’s proven that the key to uplifting the most vulnerable in our community is more affordable housing options and programs, not less,” said Health, Housing and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez. “These reckless cuts pull the rug out from under the most vulnerable in our communities, including families, children, and seniors. We have a duty to uplift people through programming and housing, not tear them down.”
Read the full list of funding cuts the City is facing on our Defend ABQ page.