Ongoing disagreements have delayed the release of a final spending agreement to extend federal government funding into the new year. Lawmakers worked through the weekend to a final deal on a funding agreement, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to extend funding for federal programs until March 14, 2025, but several outstanding issues remain. Congress only has until December 20 – just four days – to finalize and pass a CR or face a partial shutdown of the federal government.
Along with the CR, lawmakers want to move a funding package expected to provide $100 billion in much needed disaster relief funds for communities impacted by recent disasters, and want to provide a temporary extension of what is known as the “Farm Bill,” which authorizes and funds vital programs like U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) rural housing programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), among others. As the last legislative vehicle of the 118th Congress, the CR is expected to carry a number of amendments that may further delay its passing.
Take Action!
Tell your members of Congress to pass a CR by December 20!
Congress must pass a CR by December 20 to avert a government shutdown and a potential lapse in funding for federal programs, including HUD’s vital affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. Time is running out for lawmakers to reach a final agreement on a CR and ensure the continued operation of federal programs, including HUD’s vital affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. Failure to pass a CR by December 20 could result in delayed funding for these programs, which would impact the communities and individuals they serve.
Use NLIHC’s Take Action page to contact your members of Congress today and urge them to pass a CR by December 20!
Urge Congress to pass a final FY25 spending bill with increased funding for HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs
Insufficient funding, budget cuts, and long-term CRs have a devastating impact on affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. CRs maintain spending levels from the previous fiscal year, but because the cost of affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs rises every year, increased annual funding for HUD programs is required to simply maintain the number of people served by these vital programs.
Advocates can use NLIHC’s resources to take action today and push Congress to pass increased funding for affordable housing and homelessness in FY25, including for NLIHC’s top priorities:
- Full funding to renew all existing contracts for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and expand assistance to 20,000 more households.
- $6.2 billion for public housing operations and $5.2 billion for public housing capital needs.
- $4.7 billion for HUD's Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program.
- $100 million for the Eviction Protection Grant Program.
- At least $1.3 billion for Tribal housing programs, plus $150 million for competitive funds targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.
Use NLIHC’s toolkits and resources to take action on FY25 funding, including 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.
- Using our “Oppose Dramatic Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing” toolkit: This toolkit includes resources, talking points, advocacy ideas, and other helpful information on defending funding for affordable housing and homelessness resources in the FY25 federal budget. Meet with your members and urge them to provide the most possible funding for these vital programs in any final FY25 budget agreement!
National, state, local, tribal, and territorial organizations can also join over 2,300 organizations on CHCDF’s national letter calling on Congress to support the highest level of funding possible for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development resources in FY25.