Win, New York City’s primary provider of family shelter and supportive housing, has raised a critical alarm regarding President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, which seeks substantial reductions in federal housing programs and assistance.
The proposed budget includes plans to eliminate 43% of federal rental assistance and impose a cap on federal support for ‘able-bodied adults’ to a maximum of two years before benefits are terminated.
According to an internal report from the New York City Housing Authority, this time limit could potentially displace over 300,000 residents in New York City, as stated by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-The Bronx) in comments to THE CITY last week.
Furthermore, Trump’s proposal also aims to abolish the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8.
Originally founded as Women in Need, Win is the largest shelter and housing support organization in the United States. The group reiterated its concerns about the budget after condemning earlier plans to curtail housing assistance back in May.
These proposed cuts are projected to severely impact New York City, which administers the largest Section 8 program in the country.
Established as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1978, Section 8 provides essential housing assistance and vouchers to low- and moderate-income families renting from the private market.
Christine Quinn, President and CEO of Win and a former City Council speaker, issued a stark warning on Wednesday: “Make no mistake, if Donald Trump’s federal housing proposal becomes a reality, we will see massive spikes in homelessness nationwide that will overwhelm shelter systems and destabilize our communities.”
She further criticized the administration’s move to eliminate Section 8 which she described as one of the most effective evidence-based tools to combat homelessness, arguing that such cuts are intended to subsidize tax breaks for the wealthy.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is set to endure significant workforce reductions under the proposed spending bill, facing the seventh-largest cut of any federal department.
Approximately 26% of HUD employees could lose their jobs if the budget proposal is enacted.
Additionally, the Department of Education is facing the most severe impact from Trump’s suggested cuts, with 38% of its positions potentially at risk.
Under Quinn’s leadership, Win has initiated Project Hope in response to a series of extreme right-wing political strategies outlined by the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
Although Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025 on the campaign trail, many of his proposed policies bear resemblance to the recommendations in that plan.
A report released by Win as part of Project Hope indicated that in 2024, 130,000 individuals utilized NYC shelters, with families with children making up about 70% of that population.
Additionally, there are approximately 123,000 households in NYC receiving Section 8 support.
Quinn emphasized the dual crisis of a severe housing shortage and an affordability crisis, highlighting how federal policies could exacerbate these issues.
She mentioned the organization’s efforts to push for a statewide housing voucher in New York and called for urgent action from state and local leaders to mitigate the impact of harmful federal policies.
“We need our leaders to find the courage to act. Lives are on the line,” she stated.
Having passed the House of Representatives last month by a narrow margin primarily along party lines, Trump’s spending bill advanced to the Senate this week, where it is anticipated that all Democrats will vote against it, while a few Republicans have expressed reservations regarding its content.
Win has implored local and state officials in New York to oppose this legislation and to combat the inhumane policy proposals linked to Project 2025.
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