U.S. Representative Greg Stanton has urged the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reverse recent guidance that significantly reduces federal funding for Housing First programs. The changes, announced by HUD, would limit funds for permanent supportive housing to 30% of a total award, which could result in Maricopa County losing $32 million in federal assistance and up to 1,388 housing units.
Stanton, who previously served as Mayor of Phoenix and chaired the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care, addressed his concerns directly to HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “With this shift, the Trump administration is abandoning decades of evidence-based policy,” Stanton wrote.
According to local estimates, 81% of the $53 million awarded annually through the Maricopa County Continuum of Care currently supports permanent supportive housing. The new policy would sharply reduce this support. Stanton warned that “the sudden and significant changes to longstanding federal policy represent a near-unworkable challenge to local governments, as well as housing developers and investors.” He noted that these changes could delay funding for communities and create instability for private developers working on affordable housing projects.
“Behind every number in a grant line item is a human being, someone who has overcome great adversity to achieve stability. These vulnerable Americans now risk eviction and a slide back into homelessness, undoing years of hard-won progress. They deserve far better from their government,” Stanton said.
Stanton was elected to Congress after defeating Kelly Cooper in both the 2022 and 2024 general elections.
For more information about Rep. Stanton’s statement, visit https://stanton.house.gov/2025/11/stanton-sounds-alarm-on-trump-admin-s-deep-cuts-to-homelessness-funding-abandoning-decades-of-evidence-based-policy
