Executive Order on Reducing Poverty Could Impact Housing Programs
On April 10, President Trump released an executive order, “,” designed to guide agencies that administer public assistance programs to effectively reform the welfare system.
The order provides nine “Principles of Economic Mobility” to guide agencies that administer public assistance programs in moving people from poverty to work and ideally, economic independence.
Of note to the housing community, the order directs federal agencies – including HUD and USDA – to review all regulations and guidance documents relating to work requirements.
For example, HUD currently does not have work requirements for Section 8 recipients. The executive order could conceivably require HUD to re-examine its Section 8 program to determine if it makes sense to add work requirements as a condition for those who use the program.
The executive order still leaves many questions unanswered, such as who would be responsible for monitoring work requirements if they were imposed and what the remedy would be if someone is unable to find a job.
It is also important to note that statutory changes would be necessary to link housing assistance to work requirements. The executive order itself cannot change eligibility for housing assistance. Separately, HUD is preparing a proposal to Congress regarding work requirements for some of its rental assistance programs.
NAHB will review this executive order in consultation with our members.
Read the executive order .
For more information, contact Michelle Kitchen at 800-368-5242 x8352.
Tags: executive order, HUD, poverty, USDA