What’s the story with the federal budget?

From the National Low Income Housing Coalition

 The Senate Appropriations THUD Subcommittee marked up its FY13 bill [last week].

Overall, many HUD programs fared better in the Senate bill than they did in the President’s Budget request.

The Senate would increase funding over the President’s request for Tenant Based Rental Assistance contract renewals, Project-Based Rental Assistance, Public Housing Operating, Homeless Assistance Grants, and Community Development Block Grants.  Funding for TBRA contract renewals at the Senate level may still not be sufficient to renew all contracts, however.  The Senate believes that PBRA funding would allow for 12 month renewals of all existing contracts. 

Public Housing Capital funding would be increased over FY12 funds but below the President’s request. 

Other programs including HOME, Section 202, NAHBG, NHHBG, Choice Neighborhoods, Healthy Homes would be level funded with FY12, which is in some cases is lower than the President’s requested funding level.  The Senate would continue to fund the SHOP program. 

The Senate Committee bill would lower funding for Section 811, HOPWA, Fair Housing, and the Community Development Fund below FY12 funding levels. CDBG grants, however, would be increased over both the President’s requested funding level and the FY12 level. 

NLIHC is pleased that the Senate Committee decided not to implement changes to minimum rent policies by increasing the rent ceiling or making them mandatory that the President requested.