The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

The new director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness put the entire 20-person staff of the agency on administrative leave Monday, furthering the administration’s effort to dismantle federal housing programs. While the President cannot legally abolish the agency outright, its legal authorization expires in 2028 unless Congress takes action to renew it.
According to a New York Times article by Jason DeParle, “Once seen as a vehicle for bipartisan work, [the Council] has come under conservative criticism for promoting a policy called Housing First, which houses some homeless people without requiring them to seek treatment for mental illness or substance abuse.” The agency administered homelessness prevention and relief programs at a time when the unhoused population has reached alarming highs.
A separate article by the same author explains that the Council actually advanced the administration’s goal to improve efficiency: “In coordinating the homelessness work of 19 federal agencies, the council seeks to eliminate duplication and make Washington more accessible to local organizations. Eliminating its annual budget, $4 million, would save about as much as the government spends every 18 seconds.”
Even critics of Housing First don’t want to see the agency eliminated altogether. Tom De Vries, CEO of the Citygate Network representing faith-based housing groups, says an agency that prioritizes and coordinates homelessness prevention efforts at the federal level is necessary.
FULL STORY: Trump administration places staff of homelessness agency on leave.

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.

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.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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