Over the last few months, there have been several news reports and announcements from the federal government about potential changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the federal housing programs it administers.
If you have questions about how these changes could affect you and the people in your community, we have collected all the information we have so far. We will continue to update this page to keep our community informed about any potential changes to federal housing programs.
What You Need to Know:
- At this time, there have been no federal cuts to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV or Section 8) program.
- The passage of the 2025 “continuing resolution” ensured that THA’s federally funded housing programs, such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV or Section 8) program, will continue without interruption through at least September 30, 2025.
- The federal government is beginning to consider the budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2025. The President’s proposal includes significant cuts to our programs.
- These are just proposals. We will know more about changes to our 2026 budget once Congress begins their budget process.
- We don’t anticipate having more information about our budget until late September. We remain alert to the possible decreases in funding but will not be making any major changes until we know more.
- THA has been notified that its funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is ending in 2026.
- THA serves 115 households with this program.
- We are working internally and with our partners to develop a plan to support these households in 2026 and beyond. We will communicate with the households and property owners participating in this program when we know more.
- Although HUD has been ordered to downsize, THA staff are not HUD employees, so this reduction through government action does not apply to us.
- We are continuing to monitor funding impacts to our housing and support programs that many families depend on.
- Tacoma Housing Authority has not been directly affected by the President’s Executive Orders or other federal policy changes at this time.
- Right now, no residents or program participants of Tacoma Housing Authority are at risk of losing their housing or financial help because of any Executive Order.
- Tacoma Housing Authority is committed to providing community members with critical housing resources and information about your rights.
Below is more detail about the federal budget, executive orders, and HUD changes.
Federal Budget
Fiscal Year 2025:
On March 15, 2025, the President signed a “continuing resolution” (CR) federal funding bill. This bill ensures that all federally funded housing programs offered through THA, such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV or Section 8) program, are fully funded through September 30, 2025.
Over the next few months, Congress will work to pass a new spending bill for the next fiscal year. THA will continue to monitor their progress.
Fiscal Year 2026:
On May 2, 2025, the Trump administration released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The budget proposes decreases in housing funding that could impact THA.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request – Whitehouse.gov
The proposed budget calls for the overhaul and transformation of federal assistance programs by:
- Moving these programs into a state-based formula grant. This would allow states to design their own programs based on their unique needs and preferences.
- Placing a 2-year cap on rental assistance for able-bodied adults.
- Ensuring the majority of rental assistance is provided to older adults and people with disabilities.
These proposals are just that—proposals—and would need to be approved by Congress, which will meet throughout the summer to create their official budget. We will monitor all of this very closely and provide updates as Congress gets closer to a decision, likely no earlier than late September.
Emergency Housing Vouchers
THA has been notified that its funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is ending in 2026. THA serves 115 households with this program.
We are working internally and with our partners to develop a plan to support these households in 2026 and beyond. We are actively seeking alternative funding sources to fill this budget gap, and we will communicate with the households and property owners participating in this program when we know more.
Executive Orders
Since January, the President has issued several Executive Orders, one of which temporarily halted federal funding to some recipients of federal grants. THA is in compliance with all Executive Orders, and none of our residents or program participants are at risk of losing their housing or financial help because of these orders.
Changes to HUD
There have been announcements and news reports about the Department of Housing and Urban Development laying off staff and closing offices.
Tacoma Housing Authority is not a federal agency. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors appointed by the City of Tacoma. Any decisions about THA budgets, staffing, and offices will be made by THA, not the federal government or HUD.