The Trump administration is making significant cuts to funding for permanent housing for people without homes. Instead, the focus is shifting to transitional housing and treatment programs. Many public health experts are concerned that this decision will hurt vulnerable individuals and strain local resources, especially in Maryland.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to reduce its grant allocations for permanent housing from 87% to just 30% nationwide. This change could leave around 170,000 people without shelter, according to internal documents obtained by POLITICO.
Kevin Lindamood, the CEO of Healthcare for the Homeless, points out that this policy might lead to more emergency room visits and hospitalizations, which ultimately increases costs. “This policy doesn’t really save resources; it just reshuffles them,” he noted.
In Maryland, the state currently receives about $69 million from the Continuum of Care program, and Baltimore was awarded $29 million for 2024. The reduction in federal funding for permanent housing is expected to strain emergency services and local governments.
Maryland’s emergency rooms already have some of the longest wait times in the country for patients seeking long-term care. The new funding cuts could make this situation even worse. A recent study from the Hilltop Institute at UMBC showed that people in supportive housing have notably lower rates of emergency visits and hospital readmissions within 30 days. Lindamood emphasizes the need for permanent housing to truly help people.
The administration argues that moving away from the “Housing First” approach will promote self-sufficiency. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls this policy reform a way to break cycles of addiction and support lasting recovery.
In an effort to change the application process, the new rules will allow faith-based organizations to apply for grants. However, advocates worry that the short application window will impede organizations from submitting their proposals.
In response to these changes, Maryland’s U.S. senators expressed their concerns in a letter, urging HUD to renew existing grants and involve communities in the decision-making process. They emphasized the importance of using research-driven strategies to address homelessness effectively.
This new direction aligns with President Trump’s earlier executive order, which permits the clearing of encampments and the forced institutionalization of individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges.
Understanding the potential impacts and reactions from users of these services can provide valuable insights into how these policies will affect real lives. Social media trends show a mix of fear and outrage, as individuals worry about losing support during an already tough time.
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