1. Federal Housing Policy Updates from NLIHC
James Saucedo, Housing Advocacy Organizer
Empower Missouri Bi-Monthly Advocates’ Briefing April 12, 2018

2. About NLIHC
NLIHC is dedicated to ensuring access to safe, decent, affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes.
Reprioritizing federal spending on affordable housing
Protecting and expanding federal housing resources
Expanding the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
Ensuring equitable access to affordable housing
Ensuring equitable disaster housing recovery
Become a member and receive our Action Alerts:

3. Happy 50th Anniversary!

4. Happy 50th Anniversary
April 11, 2018 marked 50 years since signing of the landmark Fair Housing Act, introducing great promise to end housing segregation nationwide
As we know, much work remains to realize the potential of the Fair Housing Act
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) was only implemented at the tail end of the Obama Administration
Secretary Carson’s HUD effectively suspended the AFFH rule on January 5
See NLIHC Memo article:
NLIHC submitted public comment on March 12
See NLIHC Memo article:

5. FY’18 Omnibus Budget Deal

6. FY’18 Omnibus Budget Deal
Good news! Enacted FY’18 omnibus budget deal provides historic funding levels for federal housing programs
Rejection of President Trump’s proposal to slash funding
Testament to the power of committed advocacy
10% or $4.6 billion increase over FY’17 funding levels
$12 billion more for HUD than requested by President
NLIHC analysis of budget deal:
Update NLIHC budget chart for HUD and USDA Rural Development housing programs:

7. FY’18 Omnibus Budget Deal
Thank your members of Congress for the FY’18 omnibus budget deal!
Especially thank Sen. Roy Blunt, member of Senate Appropriations Committee and T-HUD Subcommittee
How did Missouri Congressional Delegation vote?
Yays: Sen. Roy Blunt; Reps. Lacy Clay (MO-1), Ann Wagner (MO-2), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Sam Graves (MO-6)
Nays: Sen. Claire McCaskill; Reps. Billy Long (MO-7), Jason Smith (MO-8)

8. FY’18 Omnibus Budget Deal

9. Up next: FY’19 Budget

10. Up next: FY’19 Budget
President Trump released FY’19 federal budget request to Congress in February
Proposes drastic cuts to housing and homelessness programs similar to last year—though slightly less severe
Proposes $8.8 billion cut to HUD—that’s 18.3% of the overall HUD budget
Proposes complete elimination of HOME, CDBG, HTF, ICH, VASH, SHOP, and Public Housing Capital
Along with other measures to gut the federal budget, this is all designed to pay for the $1.5 trillion tax cut package passed in December
Full NLIHC analysis:

11. Up next: FY’19 Budget

12. Proposed Benefits Cuts

13. Proposed Benefits Cuts
President Trump released FY’19 federal budget request to Congress
Also proposes punitive benefits cuts
Measures aimed at cutting the number of people eligible for public assistance through housing programs
Imposes work requirements on housing programs
Imposes rent increases on housing programs
Fact sheet on benefits cuts:
Talking points on benefits cuts:

14. Join our sign-on letters!

15. Join our sign-on letters!
FY’19 budget sign-on letter
Please sign this letter asking Members of Congress to ensure affordable housing, and community development programs receive the highest allocation of discretionary funds possible.
Sign at:
DEADLINE: TOMORROW, APRIL 13
Housing benefits cuts
Please sign this letter asking Members of Congress to reject President’s proposal to increase rents and impose work requirements in federal affordable housing programs.
Sign at:

16. Our Homes, Our Voices Housing Week of Action May 1-8

17. Upcoming Housing Week of Action

18. Upcoming Housing Week of Action
Join us! Host or attend an event, write or call your members of Congress, post on social media
Recording of today’s webinar:
Info, resources, downloadable materials, listing of local events all available at:

19. NLIHC Membership

20. NLIHC Membership

21. Thank you!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead James Saucedo, , Direct