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Amid reports that HUD is planning to shut almost two-thirds of HUD’s state field offices, Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) have stepped forward in a rare bipartisan effort to save HUD’s local presence. These field offices, which serve as lifelines between HUD and communities, provide customized assistance to housing providers, direct assistance to families, and provide oversight to prevent federal housing funding abuse.

Reports that HUD may cut its workforce by 50 percent have sparked growing concern among lawmakers, housing advocates, and HUD employees.

Scott Turner, President Trump’s pick for HUD Secretary, recently shared his vision for tackling America’s housing crisis. Speaking to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Turner stressed the critical need to build millions of homes to provide affordable living options for families and individuals.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition, along with the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation, recently released its annual report that detailed many critical challenges faced by federally assisted housing.

This month, HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program celebrated its 50th anniversary. The HCV program is HUD’s single largest investment in affordable housing. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon, the program encompasses a network of about 2,200 state and local public housing agencies (PHAs). And more than 5 million people in 2.3 million low-income families use vouchers.

Lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to children under 6, and HUD’s recent actions reflect a commitment to mitigating these risks by aligning its policies with updated CDC guidelines and providing funding to reduce health hazards in public housing. 

HUD recently announced that it has joined over 25 federal agencies in a coordinated effort to address the growing threats of extreme heat and climate change. As part of the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS), HUD is supporting the nation's first-ever National Heat Strategy for 2024-2030, which provides a framework for developing science-based solutions to mitigate the dangerous effects of extreme heat.

HUD recently held an all-day summit on property and liability insurance in affordable housing. The summit was hosted by Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman and Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Julia Gordon.