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Homeless Trust hears federal and state funding uncertainty, urges outreach to lawmakers
Summary
Trust staff flagged proposed federal budget and Florida tax bills that could cut or reshape homelessness funding, urged board outreach to congressional members and noted advocacy underway for appropriations.
Trust staff briefed the Miami‑Dade County Homeless Trust on multiple federal and state developments that could materially affect homelessness funding and program operations, and asked board members to contact congressional and state delegations.
Staff described a range of federal actions under discussion: proposed changes in HUD grant language being scrutinized by several large continuums; a White House “skinny” budget that proposes eliminating or restructuring programs such as CDBG and HOME and consolidating Continuum of Care (CoC) and HOPWA into a block grant; proposals affecting LIHEAP and Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding; and concern that emergency housing voucher and Section 8 supports could face funding gaps, with some programs at risk of running out in 2026. Staff also reported discussions about new grant conditions that would restrict content involving gender identity and language that could require use of immigration data systems for benefit eligibility assessments. Staff emphasized uncertainty pending final appropriations and HUD guidance.
At the state level, staff summarized recent Florida legislative activity: House Bill 1221 (which would have required local‑option taxes to be subject to voter reauthorization in general elections) appeared to be inactive, while House Bill 7033 (a tax package still active in committee) contains a provision tying tourist development tax (TDT) revenue to millage reduction and periodic ballot reauthorization that could shrink funds available for local programs if adopted. Staff said the senate was largely opposed to portions of HB 7033, but the landscape remained uncertain.
Why it matters: proposed federal and state changes could reduce or reorganize funding streams the Trust and local providers rely on — including federal homeless assistance grants, HOME, CDBG, LIHEAP and other programs — and might impose new compliance or eligibility requirements.
What the Trust discussed
- Federal concerns: staff said some CoCs have sued the federal government over new grant language and described proposal elements that could remove Housing‑First language, limit non‑discrimination language, and add immigration‑checks for benefit eligibility. The Trust noted that a House appropriations bill under discussion would increase homeless assistance but the president’s recommended (skinny) budget would reduce or eliminate certain programs.
- Local advocacy: staff and board members discussed circulating sign‑on letters to congressional representatives, arranging site visits to show program operations, and potentially traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials. Staff offered to prepare talking points for board members who want to contact lawmakers.
- Program impacts: staff highlighted that emergency housing vouchers issued during ARP were time‑limited and that funding for more than 700 clients may be at risk in 2026 if appropriations lapse; VASH and Section 8 funding trajectories are also uncertain.
Board guidance and next steps: board members were encouraged to contact members of the Miami‑Dade delegation — staff specifically suggested starting with Representative Carlos Gimenez and not excluding others — and staff said it would circulate talking points and coordinate sign‑on letters. The chair and staff said they were engaging with HUD regional contacts and tracking appropriations activity.
