NY Attorney General James sues Trump admin over cuts to homeless housing program

New York's Top Lawmaker Sues to Block Trump Administration Cuts to Homeless Housing Program

The administration's new rules on homeless housing grants could put thousands at risk. New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing in federal court after the Trump administration announced drastic cuts to a program that provides housing for over 10,000 people in NYC.

Grants worth $3.6 billion will now be funneled towards short-term accommodation programs, requiring residents to attend treatment or work. The city relies heavily on these grants, using $176 million to support over 10,000 households. Losing this funding could push up street homelessness and shelter numbers, as affordable apartments are scarce.

Critics say the Trump administration's policy shift ignores the root causes of homelessness – lack of affordable housing. Housing experts point out that long-term housing programs have proven effective in reducing chronic homelessness.

"This is basically just taking a giant step backwards from what we know works," said Molly Wasow Park, head of New York City's Department of Social Services. "Providers will struggle to fill the massive hole left by the funding cutoff."

The lawsuit argues that new conditions – prioritizing elderly people or those with physical disabilities over mental illness and substance abuse disorders – are discriminatory. State attorneys general from 12 states have joined James in challenging these rules, citing concerns they could exclude vulnerable populations.

Homelessness advocates point out the cost of sheltering a single adult exceeds $145 per day, while supportive housing costs just $68 per person per day. In contrast, tenants typically pay only one-third of their income towards rent, with government aid covering the rest.

The Trump administration has long argued that its approach is necessary to address homelessness' root causes, but critics say this policy ignores poverty and other challenges as moral failures, ignoring the larger economic climate.

Ugh , I'm so done with these new rules on homeless housing grants. Like, can't they see how short-sighted this is? We're already struggling to keep affordable housing in NYC, let alone making it worse by cutting funding to programs that actually work. The fact that the admin thinks just shuffling funds to short-term accommodation programs will magically solve homelessness is just...

And what's with all these "tough love" measures? Like, people struggling with addiction and mental illness need support, not a boot in the face. And those arguing that this policy shift ignores poverty as a root cause are spot on , it's like we're saying homelessness is just a moral failing or something

I'm all for trying to tackle homelessness, but can't we do better than this? It feels like the admin is just throwing people under the bus (literally) without any real plan in place.

I'm so done with this ! The Trump admin's idea of "helping" homeless ppl by forcing them into short-term accommodations that require treatment or work is literally just a PR stunt . It's all about making it look like they're doing something, while the real issue is affordable housing scarcity .

I mean, come on, $3.6 billion for short-term shelters when you could be investing in programs that actually help ppl get back on their feet? The stats are insane - a single adult's shelter costs over $145 per day, but supportive housing is like $68? It makes no sense .

And don't even get me started on the 'moral fail' argument. Poverty and homelessness aren't moral problems, they're systemic issues that need real solutions . We should be working to address the root causes, not just treating symptoms with short-term fixes .

Letitia James and the other state attorneys general are doing the right thing by challenging these discriminatory rules . It's time for the Trump admin to step up their game and provide some real solutions instead of empty rhetoric .

the whole thing just feels so misguided to me... i mean, we know what works in reducing chronic homelessness - long-term housing programs that provide support and stability for people in need. this new rule just seems like a band-aid on a much deeper wound. affordable housing is the root of the problem, not some short-term fix that's gonna leave us with more people on the streets.

and what really gets me is that it's not even addressing the economic climate we're living in... poverty is a complex issue that needs a comprehensive solution, not just a simplistic policy change.

omg u guys i cant even believe what's happening in NYC right now the trumps admin just slashed the homeless housing program and ny AG letitia james is taking them to court its like they're literally putting thousands of people at risk of being homeless again just because they're struggling with affordable housing issues i mean whats the point of even having a program if ur gonna cut it down to nothing?! and the fact that theyre prioritizing elderly ppl over ppl with mental illness or substance abuse is like totally discriminatory newsflash: homelessness isnt always about being homeless, its often about lack of affordable housing options and poverty

omg i'm low-key worried about homeless ppl in nyc those admin cuts are so unfair we need more affordable housing not less it's all about prioritizing short-term solutions over long-term changes experts say chronic homelessness is a huge issue, and these programs have helped but the trump admin is just ignoring the root causes poverty, lack of affordable housing... it's a complex problem that needs complex solutions not just cutting funding and expecting ppl to 'get back on their feet'

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

The Trump administration's drastic cuts to homeless housing programs is a perfect example of this quote coming true. They're essentially putting thousands at risk, and it's heartbreaking thinking about the devastating consequences this will have on people's lives. Affordable housing is the key to solving homelessness, but this policy shift ignores that and focuses on short-term solutions instead. It's time for politicians to take responsibility and work towards real change, not just band-aid fixes that only make things worse.

I mean, come on, the idea of cutting funding for a program that's already helping thousands of people get off the streets is just crazy talk. They're basically saying that if you can't get your life together, you're on your own. Like, no thanks. We need to be supporting our most vulnerable citizens, not leaving them high and dry.

And let's get real, this policy shift is all about politics. The Trump admin is trying to score points with the right wing, but they're just perpetuating a myth that homelessness is somehow a moral failing. Meanwhile, people are still struggling to find affordable housing and get the help they need. It's time for some common sense and compassion.

man dis policy by trump admin is so messed up ... i mean think about it they wanna take away funding for ppl who need help most just cuz they dont wanna deal with mental illness & addiction like whats wrong with providing support instead of just kicking ppl to the curb? and now these states are suing them over discriminatory rules... how's that fair? also, homelessness is a huge issue in nyc & we cant afford to lose funding for housing programs it's crazy that sheltering one adult costs more than supportive housing... maybe we should be focusing on affordable housing instead of just trying to fix symptoms

ugh, can't believe what's happening with these new rules ... they're literally just gonna make things worse for people who need help the most. I mean, think about it, $145 a day to shelter one adult vs $68 for supportive housing? that's like throwing money out the window . and what's up with prioritizing elderly people over mental illness and substance abuse disorders? that's just plain cruel . we need to be supporting people who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues, not pushing them further down. and what's even more messed up is that it ignores poverty as a root cause of homelessness. like, come on, folks, poverty isn't going anywhere . we gotta do better than this.

man, $3.6 billion just cut in a split sec? thats crazy... i dont get why theyre not focusing on building more affordable housing instead of just patching up the problem with temporary solutions . it feels like they're just throwing money at the symptoms without addressing the real issue - people can't afford a place to live in the first place . and whats with the treatment/work requirement? that just sounds like more hoops for ppl to jump through . can we just get some real solutions here instead of playing politics with people's lives?

I'm totally frustrated by these new rules from the Trump admin . I mean, think about it, they're basically cutting off life-saving funding for people who need a place to live most. It's not just about the homeless folks, it's also about the thousands of families who'll be affected when affordable apartments become even scarcer. The fact that they're prioritizing elderly people and people with physical disabilities over those struggling with mental illness or substance abuse is, like, so discriminatory . We need to support our vulnerable communities, not kick them when they're down. It's time for some common sense from our leaders!

OMG u guys I'm literally livin a nightmare my aunt is homeless she's been on that program for years and now they're like cuttin her off? it's not fair at all I know ppl say Trump's tryna fix homelessness but honestly it just sounds like he's makin moves 2 help his buddies who got big business deals like whaaat about the ppl with mental health issues tho? my friend's sis has schizophrenia and now they're gonna have 2 choose b/w shelter or therapy what if she can't afford therapy? what if she gets stuck in shelter & cant get a job to pay rent? it's just not right fam