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
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.
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.
USDOT Threatens to Pull New York Highway Funding
The Trump administration wants the state to kill New York City’s congestion pricing program despite its demonstrated success.
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.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions