North Andover (Mass.) Housing Authority: “We’d Be Devastated” by Proposed HUD Budget Cuts

As the House and the Senate work on an omnibus spending package for FY 2018, they do so in the shadow of the White House proposed budget for FY 2019, which includes an 18.3 percent cut for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This budget also eliminates the Public Housing Capital Fund (funded at $4.5 billion in 2016) and cuts $1.93 billion from the Public Housing Operating Fund (a 44 percent decrease). These devastating cuts to public housing, which provides affordable homes to 2.1 million low-income Americans, would harm communities nationwide.

“We’d be devastated,” Cathy Hoog, Executive Director of the North Andover Housing Authority, said about the proposed budget cuts. Zeroing out the Capital Fund would drastically impact upcoming projects: hot water tank replacements, emergency generators, and more. We also use our Capital Fund dollars to serve elderly and disabled residents in our 105 public housing units.”

NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman said, “It is difficult to comprehend how out of touch this budget is with the realities of immediate housing needs. We now look to the Congress to craft a realistic budget that addresses the immediate needs that face North Andover and other communities nationwide.”

About NAHRO

NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of almost 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.

Contact: Sylvia Gimenez