Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Opposes THUD Bill, Citing Cuts to Housing and Senior Assistance

Opposition to THUD Bill

• ❌ Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman strongly opposes the THUD bill, stating that its cuts impact the lives of Americans by affecting their ability to work, stay housed, and create opportunity.
• 📉 The bill slashes nearly $6 billion from departments while housing costs and infrastructure needs are increasing.

Impact on Housing Assistance

• 🏠 The bill threatens to push nearly 415,000 low-income households off assistance and into eviction.
• 💸 It cuts Section 8 vouchers by over $770 million, leaving a $3 billion shortfall.
• 🏘️ Public housing is cut by 70%, endangering 230,000 households, and Section 9 housing faces a $500 million shortfall, risking an additional 45,000 households.
• 🏘️ The HOME program elimination will halt the construction of 45,000 new affordable homes in 2026.
• 🏗️ The pro-housing program, which helps fund local solutions for affordable housing and transit-oriented development, is also eliminated.

Homelessness and Fair Housing Concerns

• ⚠️ Homelessness assistance grants are underfunded by $150 million, while 771,000 people experience homelessness.
• ⚖️ Legal aid for those facing eviction is eliminated, despite an 18% rise in homelessness.
• 🚪 Fair housing enforcement is cut by 67%, turning away from civil rights laws and protecting home choice.

Harmful Policy Riders and Authority Concerns

• 📜 The bill includes harmful policy riders, such as eliminating the 30-day eviction notice and granting HUD waiver powers for work requirements and rent hikes.
• 🧐 Rep. Coleman is skeptical of a provision giving the HUD secretary expansive authority to micromanage assistance programs, citing a lack of specific details and understanding from the secretary.

Shifting the Burden

• ⚖️ The bill is criticized for doing nothing to lower costs but instead shifting the burden to the most vulnerable for the benefit of the wealthy.
• 💰 Rep. Coleman urges colleagues to stop balancing the budget on the backs of seniors, low-income families, and the disabled, in favor of billionaires.