Hundreds of San Diegans who used federal Emergency Housing Vouchers to move off the streets are now staring down the loss of that lifeline this fall, as the program’s funding runs out earlier than expected. Local housing officials say roughly 386 households stand to lose an average of $2,300 a month in rental assistance, a hit that could force many to choose between leaving their neighborhoods or risking a slide back into homelessness. The fallout is expected to land hardest on seniors, people with disabilities, and households surviving on very low incomes.
How Many Will Be Affected
According to the Times of San Diego, San Diego was awarded 501 Emergency Housing Vouchers and has issued every last one. By this fall, the 386 households still using them are set to lose an average of $2,300 in monthly rental subsidies. The San Diego Housing Commission says the remaining federal EHV dollars are expected to stretch into fall 2026 and that families will receive at least 90 days’ notice before their final rental assistance payment, according to SDHC.
Federal Decision And Why It Matters
In a March 6, 2025 letter, HUD told local public housing authorities to operate their Emergency Housing Voucher programs with the expectation that no additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming, prompting agencies to prepare for an early phaseout, CalMatters reported. The voucher program was launched in 2021 with about $5 billion from the American Rescue Plan and was supposed to last through 2030, but rapid rent hikes and higher-than-expected use have drained the pot sooner than planned, according to The Washington Post…