The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday temporarily revoked its notice of federal funding for homelessness programs after two lawsuits challenged policy changes included in the notice that advocates warned would drastically cut permanent housing programs and send people back on the streets.
HUD withdrew the notice Monday afternoon, shortly before a U.S. District Court hearing in Rhode Island on two lawsuits filed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and 20 states, Politico reported. The department posted an update to its website, stating that the withdrawal will allow it “to make appropriate revisions“ and that it “intends to exercise this discretion and make changes to previously issued CoC NOFO to account for new priorities.“
Those priorities emphasized transitional housing with work requirements and addiction treatment, at the expense of permanent housing solutions. The policy change also mandated that only 30 percent of the agency’s Continuum of Care funding can be used for permanent housing, down from roughly 90 percent…