California Sues Trump Governance Over Changes to Homelessness Funding
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A coalition of states, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging a recent policy shift by the Trump administration that could jeopardize housing stability for up to 170,000 Americans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The legal action centers on alterations to the Continuum of Care program, a vital federal initiative providing funds to local entities and nonprofits dedicated to combating homelessness.
Funding Shift Sparks Legal Challenge
This month, the Department of Housing and Urban Progress (HUD) announced a significant reallocation of funds within the Continuum of Care program. The administration plans to drastically reduce financial support for rental subsidies tied to permanent housing solutions, instead directing those resources toward temporary housing and supportive services. Advocates warn this change could reverse progress made in reducing homelessness, perhaps pushing as many as 170,000 individuals back onto the streets or into shelters.
The impact is already being felt locally.The Los Angeles homeless Services Authority estimates that 5,000 households in Los Angeles County, representing 6,800 individuals, are at risk of losing their homes as an inevitable result of the funding cuts. This potential setback threatens to negate the modest decline in homelessness reported earlier this year.
“This [federal] program has proven to be effective at getting Americans off the streets,yet the Trump Administration is now attempting to illegally slash its funding,” Bonta stated in a press release.
HUD Defends Policy Changes
HUD officials dismissed the lawsuit as “meritless,” asserting that the policy adjustments are necessary to address shortcomings in previous homeless assistance policies,including the Housing First approach. A HUD spokesperson indicated the department “stands by its changes,” which aim to “restore accountability to homelessness programs and promote self-sufficiency among vulnerable Americans.”
the Housing First model, initially implemented at the federal level under President George W. Bush, prioritizes providing individuals with immediate access to permanent housing without preconditions such as mandatory enrollment in drug or mental health treatment programs. While permanent housing sites often offer these services voluntarily, the administration argues that a greater emphasis on transitional housing and supportive services will yield more effective outcomes.
Legal Arguments and Concerns Over Discrimination
The lawsuit, filed by Bonta alongside 19 state attorneys general and two governors, alleges multiple legal violations stemming from the HUD policy change. These include claims that the department failed to provide adequate notice of the alterations and that the new funding restrictions infringe upon the separation of powers principle, in this very way changes should originate with congress.
Beyond capping funds allocated to permanent housing, HUD is also increasing the requirement for competitive bidding for homeless assistance dollars.Critically, Bonta’s office alleges the new rules “eliminate funding to applicants that acknowledge the existence of transgender and gender-diverse people” and create obstacles for cities and counties that do not “enforce certain policies this Administration favors, like bans on public camping.”
These latter provisions raise serious concerns about potential discrimination and the imposition of ideological preferences on local homelessness initiatives.
The legal battle ov
