May 9, 2025
Millions of low-income Americans could lose access to affordable housing under President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 federal budget. The plan includes a $26.7 billion reduction to rental assistance programs—cutting current funding levels by 43%.
The cuts would affect Section 8 housing vouchers, public housing, and other key Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs that help more than 5 million households nationwide.
Section 8 and HUD face steep reductions
The proposal would significantly reduce funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, which currently assists about 2.3 million households. Under the plan, able-bodied adults without disabilities would be limited to just two years of assistance—replacing the current indefinite, eligibility-based system.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner called the federal programs “bloated and bureaucratic” and said the budget aims to improve efficiency and shift control to the states.