The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
In “What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?,” Shelterforce explores the devastating implications of the Trump administration’s FY 2026 budget proposal to nearly eliminate HUD's rental assistance programs — cutting funding for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), Section 8, public housing, and supportive housing by 43 percent, and consolidating them into an underfunded, block-granted lump sum.
The article recounts Althea Matthews’ struggle — who lost her NYC home, then found an EHV, and now faces losing it again — highlighting how this proposed budget threatens housing stability for millions, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and extremely low-income families. Officials warn the cuts could lead to homelessness surges, bankrupt public housing authorities, and dismantle support systems that have been painstakingly built. The piece underscores that, while block grants are pitched as efficient, in reality they strip accountability and equity, putting vulnerable renters at grave risk.
Read the full story: What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
A third of Texas cities must update their zoning codes to comply with new housing law
Texas municipalities are now required to allow manufactured housing in at least one residential zoning district.
Large projects near Austin's light rail must include affordable housing
Elsewhere in the city, developers can pay into a city bank account for affordable housing rather than providing the required affordable units within their projects.
91% of Utah renters can’t enter the homebuying market
Homeownership in Utah has dropped to historic lows, despite improvements in the number of affordable rentals on the market.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history
The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.
Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea
If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.
Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold
At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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