Federal Budget & Spending

Despite a proven track record, federal housing programs are chronically underfunded. Just one in four households eligible for federal housing assistance actually receive the help they need, leaving the rest to struggle to afford the cost of rent. 

Expanding resources available to help people with the lowest incomes find and maintain safe, stable, affordable, accessible housing depends on increasing federal appropriations. NLIHC monitors the federal budget process and advocates for the highest possible allocation of resources at HUD and the USDA Rural Housing Service to support deeply affordable housing and homelessness resources. 

NLIHC is also a Steering Committee member of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding, a coalition of over 75 national organizations working together to ensure robust resources to address America's housing crisis. Learn more here.

Budget Trends

image-20231031140827-1Fact of the Week: Housing Assistance Budget Authority as a Share of GDP Has Declined Precipitously, Spending Relatively Consistent, Since the 1970's
 
Budget Analysis for Fiscal Year 2026

NLIHC FY26 Budget Chart for Key HUD Programs (Updated 7/25/25)

Budget Analysis for Fiscal Year 2025

NLIHC FY25 Budget Chart for Key HUD Programs (Updated 7/25/24)

Budget Analysis for Fiscal Year 2024 

NLIHC FY24 Budget Chart for Key HUD Programs (Updated 3/3/24)

Budget Analysis for Fiscal Year 2023 

NLIHC FY23 Budget Chart for Key HUD Programs (Updated 12/19/22)

Additional Resources 

For more information on Budget and Appropriations, contact Kim Johnson, Policy Manager, at [email protected].

Memo to Members and Partners Articles

Senate Committee Passes FY17 USDA Spending Bill

The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved by a vote of 30-0 its FY17 spending bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 19. The bill would fund the Section 521 Rental Assistance program at $1.405 billion for FY17, the amount requested by President Obama and $15.3 million more…

ACTION NEEDED: Urge Your Senators to Defeat Attacks on Fair Housing Today!

Fair Housing Under Attack as Senate Considers THUD Bill Take Action TODAY: Urge Your Senators to Oppose the Lee-Cotton Amendment Your calls are working! Just last night, the Senate passed the Feinstein-Portman amendment that provides a four-year suspension of the 24-month commitment deadline…

TAKE ACTION: Urge Senate to Pass FY17 THUD Spending Bill

Senate Considers THUD Bill and Amendments Take Action TODAY: Urge Your Senator to Support the Bill and Support/Oppose Key Amendments The Senate Committee on Appropriations passed its FY17 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill on April 21. The full Senate will now…

House and Senate to Take Action on FY17 THUD Spending Bills this Week

After a controversial amendment threatened to derail the Senate from passing appropriations bills (See Memo 5/2), senators were able to come to a deal, relieving the legislative logjam that delayed the FY17 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) spending bill from…