The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
The entire staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was fired by the Trump administration, jeopardizing a program that helps the lowest-income Americans pay for heating and cooling.
As Brad Plumer reports in The New York Times, the program was created by Congress in 1981 and served roughly 6.2 million people with a staff of around 25. Congress had allocated $4.1 billion for fiscal year 2025, with about 90 percent distributed to states in October for heating costs. The remaining 10 percent won’t be released until the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decides how much to allocate to each state.
According to Plumer, “States also use the money to weatherize homes and provide emergency assistance to households at risk of being disconnected from their utility.” In some states like Mississippi, the program also funds items such as blankets, fans, space heaters, and portable air conditioners.
Excessive heat and cold hits poor households, who often live in older housing with worse insulation and weatherproofing, hardest. “While they might use less energy, a building using more power per square foot than it should can make the cost disproportionate,” notes Bonnie Bolden in an article for the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.
FULL STORY: Entire Staff Is Fired at Office That Helps Poorer Americans Pay for Heating
DOJ Says Trump Has Power to Roll Back National Monuments
The opinion sheds light on how the administration may justify its effort to eliminate protected public lands.
Trump's “Able Bodied” Public Housing Limits Could Displace Over 300,000 New Yorkers
As part of 43% cut to federal rental assistance, Trump is proposing a two-year limit on public housing tenure for “able bodied adults.”
Judge Extends NYC Congestion Pricing Through at Least June 9
A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s effort to kill the program, which remains in limbo as a lawsuit filed by the MTA moves forward.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)