Senate Rejects Rescissions Package that Included Cuts to Affordable Housing

The Senate rejected, by a 48-50 vote, the “The Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act” on June 20. The bill would have cut $15 billion in previously approved funding, including cuts of almost $40 million from public housing, $40 million from rural rental assistance, and $141 million from the Capital Magnet Fund.

The rescission package specifically targeted funding for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) program, which allows public housing authorities (PHAs) to hire service coordinators to help public housing residents access resources in their communities. The proposed cuts to the rural rental assistance program would have prevented USDA from fully renewing all existing contracts, causing significant harm to rural residents. The rescission to the Capital Magnet Fund would have reduced private-sector investments in affordable housing and community development.

Because of procedural rules, the Senate had to vote on the bill before June 22 to be able to approve it by a simple majority. After that date, the bill would need 60 votes to pass. The House voted in favor of the bill on June 7.

NLIHC and other national leaders sent a letter to Congress opposing the bill.