The Trump Administration released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2019 for. The proposed HUD budget is a $41.24 billion spending plan that “continues or expands support for vulnerable populations including those experiencing homelessness, the elderly and persons living with disabilities,” according to HUD.

“The budget lays out a vision for a government that is efficient, effective, and accountable. It provides for a strong national defense, lays the groundwork for further economic growth and opportunity through reduced regulatory burdens and taxes, and recognizes the importance of aggressively addressing our nation’s fiscal challenges,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “I am confident HUD will deliver on its core programs, assist our most vulnerable populations, and make significant enhancements to our programs where needed.”

Major points of the proposed HUD budget include:

• Ending homelessness (a record $2.4 billion “o support thousands of local housing and service programs assisting those living in the nation’s sheltering system and on the streets.)
• Enhancing rent assistance ($601 million for Housing for the Elderly (section 202); $140 million for Housing for Persons with Disabilities)
• Supporting homeownership and Fair Housing ($400 million in new loan guarantee authority; $550 million in new guarantee authority for Ginnie Mae; and $62 million to support HUD’s Fair Housing mission)
• Eliminating and/or reducing ineffective programs. According to HUD, “the Administration continues to seek the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, shifting the activities the block grant program supports to the State and local level.”
• Promoting healthy homes which includes lead-safe housing ($145 million)
• Creating Envision Centers which “will be centralized hubs that serve as an incubator to empowering people to graduate from HUD-assisted housing, becoming self-sufficient and responsible homeowners and renters in the private market.” ($2 million)

Read HUD’s proposed 2019 Budget.