House Approves $4 Billion Increase in HUD Spending, Reauthorization of VAWA

Housing and community development programs received a significant increase in the long-awaited fiscal year (FY) 2022 Transportation-HUD spending bill that was released March 9.

The dramatic funding increase to HUD is a direct result of NAHRO and its advocates. NAHRO thanks its members for their hard work throughout the year to advocate for robust funding for housing and community development programs.

The omnibus package includes full year funding for all 12 appropriations bills. It raises HUD funding by $4 billion and increases nearly all HUD programs. The package also includes a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The omnibus contains the highest ever annual funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund at $3.2 billion. This increase is also a direct result of NAHRO and its members advocating on behalf of public housing advocacy. Additionally, the bill also includes $200 million in new vouchers for people experiencing homelessness and victims of domestic violence, and $25 million for mobility services.

The package also provides HUD with additional waiver authority to help increase voucher utilization.

The Community Development Block Grant program was the lone program cut by the bill, a decrease of $175 million. The HOME program was increased by $150 million. Also included is $1.5 billion for the Economic Development Initiative, which is Congressional-directed spending on community projects. This is the first time in over a decade earmarks have been allowed in an appropriations bill.

Disagreements between Democrats over COVID-19 relief offsets delayed a vote in the House, but they are still expected to pass the package on March 9. If it is approved by the House on Wednesday, the Senate is expected to consider the package when they return to Washington, D.C. on March 10. Though Congressional leadership is optimistic it won’t be needed, the omnibus also contains an additional continuing resolution through March 15 to avoid a government shutdown on Friday, March 11 if the Senate needs more time to consider the measure.

Here are the FY 22 T-HUD spending bill highlights:

• Public Housing Capital Fund: $3.2 billion, $435 million increase
• Public Housing Operating Fund: $5.039 billion, $200 million increase
• Choice Neighborhoods: $350 million, $150 million increase
• Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Renewals: $24.095 billion, $1.015 billion increase
• Ongoing Total Administrative Fees: $2.411 billion, $252 million increase
• Family Self-Sufficiency: $109 million, $4 million increase
• Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance: $13.54 billion, $75 million increase
• Community Development Block Grant: $3.3 billion, $175 million decrease
• HOME Investment Partnerships: $1.5 billion, $150 million increase
• Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS: $450 million, $20 million increase
• Homeless Assistance Grants: $3.213 billion, $213 million increase

NAHRO will provide full in-depth analysis of the impact of the omnibus on HUD programs next week.