New Trump Rule Puts Millions at Risk of Losing Rental Assistance
“HUD all of a sudden now is saying that they can just issue a regulation that allows work requirements and term limits, but that’s not what has been understood and what the law appears to show,” Fischer said.
It’s unclear when the new rule would go into effect, although the 60-day period for public input ended at the beginning of May, with more than 1,000 comments submitted. For now, the outcomes of proposing such a rule are simply unknown, given the uncertainty about when, where, and how these requirements could be implemented. But for those low-income households that are affected, the potential loss of rental assistance may also come at a time when their ability to access other benefits is uncertain, given pending cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
“You’re having to readjust your budget, and figure out, ‘OK, well, if I’m not able to afford food this month, does that mean I’m not going to be able to afford the 30 percent of income that I’m supposed to pay in rent for my housing?” said Williams. “If one part of your life is particularly financially stressed, or you’re losing a particular source of income, then that’s going to affect all aspects of your life.”