As the number of unhoused Americans grows, mayors met to learn from each other and assess their needs for federal support.

Mayors from 21 cities across the nation met in Los Angeles to share potential actions for stemming the growing homelessness crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans, reports Carl Smith in Governing. “Shouldn’t the world’s wealthiest country, blessed with abundant space and smart enough to put a robot videographer on Mars, have what it takes to end it?” Smith asks.
“The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hasn’t released its 2023 homeless assessment, but stakeholders expect it to show an increase of about 10 percent over 2022.” The change in the previous two years was just .3 percent, Smith notes.
“The solutions discussed included federal resources such as housing vouchers, emergency rental assistance and other protections against evictions.” However, a persistent housing shortage of roughly 7 million affordable units nationally make it difficult for people to access and keep housing.
According to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spokesperson who attended the meeting, the department is working to support cities by streamlining the housing voucher process and “launching an ‘accelerator’ to support those who want to expand the use of Medicaid to address housing problems.”
FULL STORY: With Homelessness Surging, Mayors Share Possible Solutions

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
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