HUD Slashes Funding for NYC Affordable Housing

Cutting millions in federal aid to the New York City Housing Authority will "evaporate" years of progress in the city, said the agency's CEO.

1 minute read

April 3, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Public Housing

Jason Eppink / flickr

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) will lose at least $35 million in federal aid this year, with further cuts expected to be announced.

NYCHA is the largest affordable housing agency in the nation. The loss of this funding takes it from an operating surplus of $21 million in 2016 to being "more than $14 million in the red," reports the Wall Street Journal.

For the 400,000 people housed by the agency, the immediate impacts are likely to be felt in the areas of maintenance and repairs.

While this cut is the deepest the NYCHA has seen in years, officials expect the situation to get worse; they're bracing for a total of $150 million in cuts. CEO Shola Olatoye told the Wall Street Journal, "The direction we're moving in is one where public housing is drastically different or doesn't exist."

Monday, March 6, 2017 in The Wall Street Jounal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

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.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

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.

45 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

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.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

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.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA