The impact of continuing sequestration through FY14 would be devastating for the lowest income households seeking rental housing resources. On November 6, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released a paper on the effect of sequestration on HUD’s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program. CBPP estimates that if sequestration continues through 2014, up to 185,000 vouchers would be lost. CBPP cites impacts on current low income tenants. Many public housing agencies (PHAs) have increased the amount that low income households pay in rent in order to partially restore funding cut by sequestration. CBPP also notes that PHAs have applied reserves to mitigate funding shortfalls, but that many of these reserves will be exhausted by mid-2014. CBPP will also hold a webinar, “What the Budget Negotiations Mean for Federal Low-Income Housing Programs in 2014,” on November 12 at 2 pm ET. In the webinar, CBPP will provide advocates with an overview of the current FY14 budget negotiations including the possibility of canceling or reducing sequestration. Presenters will discuss how the outcome of the budget conference will affect low income housing programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher program and the CBPP report on the loss of vouchers due to sequestration. In an analysis of the impact of sequestration for people who are homeless, the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) estimates that continuing FY13 post-sequestration funding levels through FY14 would result in a shortfall for Homeless Assistance programs. This shortfall would result in 32,000 people homeless instead of housed compared with FY 2013, and 143,000 people homeless instead of housed compared with FY 2012.Advocates for HUD and USDA Rural Housing resources sent a letter to Budget conference leadership on the importance of the budget negotiations to Project-Based Rental Assistance and Section 521 Rental Assistance. “We understand the complexities that go into crafting a budget that promotes long-term economic stability and growth and urge you to consider the needs of the most vulnerable households as you make decisions on the final FY2014 budget,” wrote the organizations. NLIHC joined 49 other national, state, and local organizations in signing this letter. The Non-Defense Discretionary Coalition, NDD United, will release a report, Faces of Austerity, on the impacts of sequestration on December 13. The report’s chapter on housing impacts will feature stories from several households across the country who have been affected by sequestration. NDD United will hold a briefing for congressional staff on Faces of Austerity on December 13 from 2:30-4:00 pm in the Room 902 of the Hart Senate office building. The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding, a group of 70 national organizations facilitated by NLIHC, will hold a briefing for congressional staff on the impacts of sequestration on affordable housing programs the week of November 17. View CBPP’s report at: http://www.cbpp.org/files/11-6-13hous.pdf Register for CBPP’s webinar at: http://bit.ly/1aerTcq View NAEH’s analysis at: http://bit.ly/1chigsT View the letter from advocates to Chairs Murray and Ryan: http://bit.ly/17mZ67C