Latest Housing Updates from LeadingAge National
(Sept. 15, 2025) Affordable housing members should note the following updates from LeadingAge National:
HUD Sued Over New Restrictions on Housing Funds. Arguing that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) imposed new funding restrictions on federal homeless assistance programs that unlawfully condition access to certain HUD grants on compliance with the political goals of the Trump administration, rather than Congress’ directive to administer its appropriated funding, the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Women’s Development Corporation filed a lawsuit and a motion for a temporary restraining order against HUD and HUD Secretary Scott Turner on Sept. 11th. The lawsuit asserts that HUD’s newly imposed criteria for $75 million in Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds fiscal year 2025 grants are unconstitutional and unlawful. HUD is now on its third iteration of application rounds for these funds (previously announced awards for these funds have been invalidated by HUD); the latest application round was announced the week of Sept. 1st (with a seven-day deadline) for CoC Builds grants that will expire if not committed by Sept. 30th. In its newest application, the plaintiffs say, “HUD has introduced extreme political criteria to the application.” Under the new funding application rules, the plaintiffs contend, service providers and communities are blocked from applying for federal housing funds for new Permanent Supportive Housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness if they operate in jurisdictions with policies the Trump administration disfavors, including states and cities with sanctuary protections; those that provide services considered “harm reduction,” such as Safe Drug Use Criteria practices; or those that have inclusive policies for transgender people. Also on Sept. 11th, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter to the HUD Inspector General calling for an investigation into the Department’s handling of the grant award process for the CoC Builds program. “Running three separate and very different funding competitions for the same set of funds is inefficient, wasteful, and no way to run any program. This Administration has now wasted hundreds of hours of local organizations’ time that could—and should—have been spent working to address homelessness,” the senators write. LeadingAge, many of whose members build Permanent Supportive Housing and otherwise work diligently to prevent and end homelessness, continues to work with members, HUD, and Congress to make sure that HUD is efficiently administering funding appropriated by Congress to meet the severe housing affordability challenges facing older adults and the workforce that serves them across the country.
Reminders: Upcoming LeadingAge National Housing Events.
- LeadingAge National to Host HOTMA Forms Feedback Workshops. LeadingAge National has announced two dedicated calls for members to discuss and develop feedback on the newly released materials from HUD for implementation of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA). HUD posted the draft materials, including forms and model leases, that are needed for HUD’s Multifamily Housing providers to comply with the new HOTMA requirements for income certifications and more. HUD posted the materials to the drafting table, which gives stakeholders a chance to review the drafts; next, HUD will publish the draft forms to the Federal Register to formally request feedback within a 30-day window. LeadingAge National will lead discussions with members over two dedicated calls in September; members can register for the calls on Sept. 16th and Sept. 23rd, both from 2:30-4 p.m. ET. Review the draft documents here, and keep up with LeadingAge National’s work on HOTMA here.
- LeadingAge National RAD for PRAC Webinar Series: “Preserving Your Aging HUD Property.” Join LeadingAge National for a special mini-series on the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), a critical senior housing preservation tool administered by HUD. Many affordable senior housing providers are exploring preservation options for aging Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) properties with limited opportunities to attract recapitalization and rehabilitation investment. The September webinar series, taught by affordable housing expert Gates Kellett, reviews the basics of RAD and then dives into best practices and pitfalls to avoid. Whether you are just beginning to explore RAD or seeking to refine your approach, this insightful two-part webinar will provide valuable knowledge and practical guidance for making informed decisions and ensuring the long-term success of your housing portfolio. Register here.
Contact: Jeff Diamond, jdiamond@leadingageny.org