WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Housing and Urban Development warned Thursday that the ongoing government shutdown, now nearing a month, is putting millions of low-income families, seniors, and vulnerable Americans at risk of losing critical housing support.
“For nearly one month, the Left has held our government hostage,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “Rather than ending this shutdown and putting our government back to work for the American people, they continue to shamelessly exploit Americans’ pain for political gain.”
Turner said HUD has been working to keep essential services running for the more than four million families who rely on federal assistance to pay rent or keep a roof over their heads, but warned that the department’s resources are wearing thin. “Each day the shutdown drags on, the department’s challenges grow, threatening our ability to serve our nation’s most vulnerable neighbors,” he said.
The shutdown has frozen key housing and community programs nationwide:
- Healthcare Financing: HUD-backed healthcare projects worth nearly $2 billion in mortgages are on hold, stalling over 12,800 beds and care units in more than 30 states.
- Seniors: FHA-supported reverse mortgage endorsements have stopped entirely, delaying access to funds seniors need for healthcare, daily living, and aging in place.
- Health and Safety: The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which funds repairs for over 10,000 homes, is suspended—leaving children exposed to lead and other hazards.
- Tribal Communities: HUD’s Section 184 Housing Program, a vital resource for Native American homeownership, is halted, cutting off access to affordable housing loans.
- Public Housing: Local public housing authorities are running out of money for maintenance and safety measures, risking deteriorating conditions and rising crime in vulnerable communities.
While emergency assistance continues for now, Turner cautioned that the shutdown’s growing duration could soon undermine HUD’s ability to maintain public housing and prevent homelessness.
“The longer Congress refuses to act, the greater the human cost,” Turner said. “HUD will continue doing everything possible to protect families, but we cannot substitute for a functioning government.”
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