Rep. Madeleine Dean on FY26 THUD Bill: Funding Cuts Could Increase Homelessness

Opposition to the FY26 THUD Bill

• ⚠️ Representative Madeleine Dean rises in opposition to the appropriations bill, expressing disappointment that it does not address the high cost of living impacting constituents.
• 🎯 The bill proposes cuts to vital housing programs, which Dean argues will negatively affect communities across the country.

Impact on Homelessness in Montgomery County

• 📈 Dean highlights a devastating spike in homelessness, particularly among seniors, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, due to rising rents and economic impacts.
• ✅ The "Your Way Home" initiative in Montgomery County has shown extraordinary results, leveraging federal funds to serve thousands and achieving an 83% housing retention rate.
• 💰 Despite the program's success and a $5 million award this year, funding was previously frozen by the Trump administration, and the current bill is insufficient to maintain vital prevention programs.

Eviction Prevention and Housing Vouchers

• 🏠 The bill cuts Section 8 voucher programs (emergency housing vouchers), which are $3 billion below the needed amount to prevent evictions for nearly 140,000 households nationwide.
• 🏘️ In Pennsylvania, 1,500 households rely on these vouchers, and their loss could lead to a 14% increase in homelessness for the state.
• ⚖️ Furthermore, the bill strikes all investments for legal assistance and eviction prevention, despite evidence that preventing homelessness is more cost-effective.

Call for Reconsideration

• 🤔 Dean urges colleagues to rethink the bill, emphasizing that constituents are deeply concerned about homelessness and the high cost of housing.
• 🗣️ She believes the bill is not sufficient to keep vital programs in place that prevent homelessness.