Congressional Public Housing Caucus Condemns Efforts that would Decimate Public Housing, Calls for Analysis Justifying Draconian Cuts

(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), co-chairs of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus, condemned efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Trump Administration to eliminate HUD initiatives, programs and personnel essential to public housing. In a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, the lawmakers called on the administration to provide detailed analysis of the impact these cuts will have on affordable housing in communities nationwide.

“As Chairs of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus, we write to express extreme concern about current efforts to eliminate HUD initiatives, programs, and staff critical to public housing,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge you to consider the impact that recent policies will have on public housing in the United States and to work with Congress to more constructively address this nation’s historic fair and affordable housing and homelessness crisis.”

“The Department’s reported approach with DOGE extends far beyond identifying alleged inefficiencies and jeopardizes the ability of the Department to carry out its core mission,” the lawmakers continued. “Considering our concerns, and the concerns of the public, we therefore request a written response detailing the exact analysis HUD has conducted related to the impact of planned staff and funding cuts on each of the ten categories listed above by March 7, 2025.”

Public housing plays a crucial role in supporting 1.6 million low-income, elderly, and disabled residents who would otherwise lack access to safe, decent, or affordable housing in the private market. The average income of a public housing household is $19,050 and more than three-quarters of public housing residents are children, elderly, or disabled. Without access to public housing, more American families would escalate into homelessness, which rose by a record 18% in 2024.

Access to public housing reduces housing instability among the most vulnerable American families, and, by reducing the financial burden of rent, allows families to use limited income for essential needs like food and health care that contribute to greater stability. In some cases, public housing programs are also linked with additional support services such as job training and substance abuse treatment that help residents become more stable and productive.

However, President Trump, DOGE and HUD Secretary Turner have reportedly terminated hundreds of probationary employees, plan to slash the Department’s workforce by more than half, and have already withheld Department funding serving families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Initial reports suggest that HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing may see a 50 percent reduction in staff in the coming months.

In addition to a detailed analysis on how funding and personnel cuts will impact communities nationwide, the lawmakers also requested a meeting with HUD Secretary Turner. 

The official letter from the Congressional Public Housing Caucus is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.