Senate Passes Funding Extension Through December 11 and Adjourns for August Recess

By Kim Johnson, NLIHC Senior Policy Director  

Senate lawmakers passed a continuing resolution (CR) before adjourning for recess in the early morning hours of August 8. The CR extends funding for federal programs and services through December 11 and delays the implementation through the duration of the CR of a harmful proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that would make significant changes to the federal grant process (see Memo, 6/29). NLIHC strongly opposes the rule, and is particularly concerned about how, if finalized, the proposed changes would impact federal housing programs (see Memo, 7/20). While the House already passed a CR before leaving for recess (see Memo, 7/27), changes to the text made in the Senate require the bill to go back to the House for consideration when representatives return from their recess on August 31.  

The bill also includes other “anomalies,” additional funding or policy adjustments for programs that require a short-term boost during a CR to maintain operation. The CR would provide additional disaster relief funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and includes language allowing Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to repurpose unobligated Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) funding to cover costs for households with expiring vouchers, including households with an Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), through the rest of calendar year 2026. The bill would also extend the availability of some homeless assistance and fair housing grants that would have otherwise expired. However, the bill does not include language curbing the Trump Administration’s ability to rescind congressionally approved spending, a provision sought by Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and supported by NLIHC.  

Use NLIHC’s August Recess Toolkit to Tell Congress to Expand – Not Cut – Federal Investments in Affordable Housing and Homelessness Assistance Programs!  

At a time when a record number of renters are housing cost burdened and families around the country are struggling to afford necessities like housing, food, and medical care, Congress should be working to expand – not cut – funding for programs that help people make ends meet.  

NLIHC’s 2026 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit includes information, tips, and resources to help advocates engage their federal elected officials during August Recess and push for increased funding and safeguards for the programs people rely on to afford the cost of rent and communities rely on to build, maintain, and operate safe, affordable, accessible homes, including: 

• How to schedule an in-district meeting with a member of Congress or invite an elected official to tour a housing development in your community.   
• NLIHC’s policy priorities for the remainder of the current Congress.   
• Links to additional resources for more information, and to help understand what the affordable housing crisis looks like in your community.   

Activities like scheduling in-district meetings with members of Congress or inviting an elected official to tour a housing development in your community help build relationships, educate members of Congress and their staff about the housing needs in your community, and show first-hand the positive impact of federal affordable housing and homelessness investments.   

Advocates can take action today by: 

• Using NLIHC’s updated August Recess Advocacy Toolkit to learn how to schedule an in-district meeting, plan a site visit, and engage with your members of Congress while they’re in their home states and districts for August Recess!  
• 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!    
• Using the National Council of Nonprofits’ tool to email your members of Congress and urge them to block implementation of OMB’s proposed rule.  
• 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.