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Speakers warn proposed federal budget cuts and city plan could threaten housing, services; urge delay and targeted relief
Summary
Advocates and disability-rights speakers warned that a federal budget package described in testimony would cut Medicaid, HOPWA and other programs and urged Houston to prioritize housing repair and to avoid moving quickly on an HUD disaster plan without housing allocations.
Multiple advocates and disability‑rights speakers used the June 10 council meeting to warn that an as‑yet‑unnamed federal budget package described in testimony would slash Medicaid and housing supports, endangering health care and housing stability for many Houstonians, and to urge the city to prioritize housing repairs in its disaster recovery plan.
Annabelle Rios, speaking for the Houston Center for Independent Living, warned that a federal package she described as the “big beautiful bill” would include tens of billions in Medicaid and Medicare cuts and harm local safety-net programs. “These cuts will directly affect the safety net of programs...and will directly affect the 600,000 Americans with disabilities and seniors in Houston alone,” Rios said, describing potential reductions to SNAP and Medicaid and urging the city to spread the word and advocate at the federal level.
Other commenters urged the council to direct disaster recovery dollars to housing repairs rather than only to public facilities. Layla Kalili said the mayor’s draft action plan for disaster recovery appeared to shift funds toward city buildings and public safety vehicles and urged the council to delay any vote until funds are clearly allocated for housing and home repair. “Choosing to spend $0 on affordable housing or home repair is both unprecedented and irresponsible,” she said.
Speakers representing survivors of recent storms and community groups told the council that thousands of households still need home repairs after storms such as the recent derecho and Hurricane Beryl (as referenced by speakers). One speaker summarized a city report estimating $230 million in unmet housing repair needs.
Councilors acknowledged the testimony and several pledged follow-up. No final vote on the mayor’s disaster recovery action plan was taken on June 10; speakers urged the council to allow additional public input before forwarding a plan to HUD.
