Join CHCDF Letter Calling on Highest Possible Funding for Federal Affordable Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development Programs in FY27 by May 1!
Apr 27, 2026
By Kim Johnson, NLIHC Senior Director of Policy and Alayna Calabro, NLIHC Senior Policy Analyst
The Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF) released an updated organizational sign-on letter calling on Congress to provide the highest possible funding for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in final fiscal year (FY) 2027 spending bills. The letter also requests Congress include language in all appropriations bills blocking attempts to withhold, rescind, or otherwise cut congressionally approved funding by the executive branch. Organizations are invited to join the sign-on letter here by May 1.
CHCDF is a coalition of more than 70 national organizations working to ensure the highest possible funding for federal affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs. CHCDF’s members represent a full continuum of national housing and community development organizations, including faith-based, private sector, financial/intermediary, public sector, and advocacy groups. NLIHC is a member of CHCDF’s steering committee and provides the group with administrative support.
The letter supports CHCDF’s congressional advocacy to increase federal investments in HUD and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs through the annual appropriations process. In addition to increasing these vital federal investments, the letter urges Congress to “include language in all appropriations bills to block any attempt by the executive branch to withhold, rescind, or otherwise cut congressionally approved funding.” Since taking office, the Trump administration has taken various actions—including “pocket recissions,” firing members of the federal workforce, and withholding funds—that make it difficult, if not impossible, for congressionally approved funding to reach communities, undermining Congress’s authority and intent. Congress should include in any final FY27 spending bill guardrails preventing the administration from ignoring congressional intent, and ensuring funding will reach the communities for whom it is intended.
House FY27 HUD Funding Bill Expected by May 21
The House Appropriations Committee has started releasing and reviewing their FY27 spending bills—a process known as “markup”—with the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill funding HUD’s vital affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs expected by May 21.
Appropriators are also meeting with members of the Trump administration in a series of congressional hearings on the president’s FY27 budget request, during which cabinet secretaries will be asked about the rationale and justification behind the administration’s spending proposals. The House Appropriations Committee’s hearing for HUD Secretary Scott Turner is currently scheduled for May 12. While the Senate Appropriations Committee’s markup schedule and a hearing date for Secretary Turner have not been announced, Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) is aiming to finish markup of all 12 spending bills for FY27 before the end of June.
Take Action: Tell Congress to Provide the Highest Possible Funding for Affordable Housing and Homelessness Programs in FY27!
NLIHC is calling on Congress to once again reject funding cuts and harmful policy changes proposed in the White House’s budget request, and instead provide the highest possible funding for HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs, including for NLIHC’s top priorities:
Full funding to renew all existing Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) contracts, including ensuring continued assistance for Emergency Housing Voucher holders.
At least $5.1 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants program to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Increased funding for public housing operations and capital needs to help maintain and efficiently operate public housing.
Increased investments in programs that support the construction and preservation of deeply affordable, accessible housing, including full funding for all Section 811 PRA and PRAC renewals, at least $424 million for new Section 811 PRA contracts, and full funding to renew all existing contracts under the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program.
At least $15 million for HUD’s Eviction Prevention Grant Program (EPGP) to provide communities grants to establish right to counsel and other programs that help people avoid eviction and remain housed.
At least maintained funding of $1.1 billion for the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program and increasing funding to $150 million for the IHBG-Competitive program.
Advocates can take action today by:
- Emailing or calling members’ offices to tell them about the importance of affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources to you, your family, your community, or your work. You can use NLIHC’s Take Action page to look up your member offices or call/send an email directly!
Sharing stories of those directly impacted by homelessness and housing instability. Storytelling adds emotional weight to your message and can help lawmakers see how their policy decisions impact actual people. Learn about how to tell compelling stories with this resource.
Organizations can also join CHCDF’s sign-on letter calling for the highest possible funding for HUD and USDA affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs in any final FY27 spending bills. Read the letter and sign your organization on here.
Visit NLIHC’s Advocacy Hub for more information and resources that can help you take action and help protect the affordable housing programs people rely on.