Since Trump took office, the administration has blocked multiple affordable housing funding streams. Here's a look at which funds have been frozen, which have been reinstated, and which are in the courts.
A series of grant cancellations and staff cuts at HUD under the Trump administration — driven by the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — have disrupted fair housing enforcement, affordable housing development, homelessness funding, and climate-related housing grants. While some of these cuts, such as Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) funds and Section 4 capacity-building grants, have been temporarily reversed following legal action or pressure from large organizations, many uncertainties remain.
A federal judge initially blocked HUD’s FHIP cuts, but the ruling was dissolved in April, and advocates fear future cancellations. Lawsuits are ongoing. Changes to the federal grant system now require DOGE to review and post funding opportunities, raising concerns about access and ideological filtering. Technical assistance and climate-related housing grants have also been frozen or delayed, stalling projects and leading to layoffs.
Meanwhile, new Continuum of Care grant contracts include vague and politically charged language — restricting promotion of “gender ideology” and placing immigration-related limits — raising legal red flags. Lawsuits from major cities and housing organizations continue to mount, with more legal confrontations expected as the administration reshapes federal housing policy.
This reporting is part of a joint effort between Shelterforce and Next City to track and explain the sweeping housing policy shifts under the current administration.
FULL STORY: Blocked, Restored, Blocked Again—Housing Funds Are in Legal Limbo
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$5 Billion Rental Assistance Fund Set to Run Out of Cash
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Fair Housing Funding Cuts Open Door to Discrimination, Advocates Say
Federal cuts to grants for fair housing advocacy organizations could lead to ‘widespread’ housing discrimination as enforcement resources are reduced.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
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Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
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