Formerly homeless people, including vets, face loss of HUD grant to help them to stay in homes
HUD is facing massive layoffs, up to 84% of their staff, according to an NPR report, and significant program cuts under the Trump administration.
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News 12 has learned that dozens of formerly homeless Hudson Valley residents, including veterans, are now facing homelessness again - this time because of possible cuts to federal funding helping them pay their rent for the past year.
Liz Albus, who is disabled and suffers from severe mental illness, is one of those people. Her tiny two-bedroom apartment in Poughkeepsie, which she shares with her autistic 2-year-old son, is the first home she’s had in 12 years.
“I was couch-surfing for a long time. I’ve been all over New York staying places, and then I found out I could get help to find a place to live,” says the 39-year-old.
Their $1,800 monthly rent is mostly paid through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant administered by the nonprofit Hudson River Housing. Albus says she also receives $346 a month in temporary assistance through the Dutchess County Department of Social Services.
She received a letter on Monday from Hudson River Housing stating that the federal funding helping her with housing is in jeopardy.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances surrounding federal funding, your rental payment assistance is expected to end as of April 1,” the letter read.
“I’m not in a good place mentally. Ever since I got that letter, I’ve been sick to my stomach,” Albus says.
The woman says her disability prevents her from working and that since she received notice that her funding is in jeopardy, she’s not been able to leave the house and is struggling with extreme anxiety.
Javier Gomez, the vice president of operations for Hudson River Housing, says 33 people they are assisting under a $360,000 HUD grant stand to lose their homes since it appears the grant may not be renewed. News 12 has learned three of those people include formerly homeless veterans.
“Hudson River Housing is deeply concerned about the uncertainty surrounding potential staffing and funding cuts at HUD. These disruptions threaten our ability to serve vulnerable residents, and also the stability of our broader community,” says Gomez.
“We are urgently seeking clarity to ensure that our residents, community partners, and organization can navigate this moment without devastating consequences.”
HUD is facing massive layoffs, up to 84% of their staff, according to an NPR report, and significant program cuts under the Trump administration.
News 12 reached out to Rep. Pat Ryan for information, who issued the following statement:
“Enough is enough. I don’t care who you voted for, or where in the Hudson Valley you’re from – this is simply un-American. I’ve spent the day on the phone with our local housing partners and I want to be clear: this fight is only beginning.”
For Albus, the uncertainty seems almost too much to bear.
“When i think about losing this, I’m like – OK. My life is over,” she says.
Hudson River Housing says it is working to find other financial help if the grant is not renewed.
