August 3, 2025
Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) received deeply concerning news: the Trump Administration’s proposed FY 2026 federal budget includes drastic cuts to housing, homelessness, and community development programs. If enacted, these cuts would significantly harm the residents we serve—those who rely on housing stability, supportive services, and pathways to independence. We cannot stay silent.
What’s at Risk?
The proposed budget slashes $26.7 billion—a 43% reduction—across critical HUD programs such as:
These funds would be block-granted to states with a two-year cap on assistance for able-bodied adults, jeopardizing long-term stability and housing access.
In addition:
These programs provide the foundation for secure housing, economic mobility, and health in our communities.
Why This Matters to Rockford
These cuts are not abstract—they represent real consequences. Thousands of families in Rockford rely on rental assistance, safe public housing, and the supportive services offered through our ROSS and FSS programs. The elimination of funding will dismantle these vital supports, destabilizing households and undoing years of progress.
Programs like Jobs Plus and FSS are not luxuries—they are lifelines. They support residents in gaining employment, improving financial literacy, and working toward independence. Cutting them will erode long-term community development.
What You Can Do Now
Congress holds the final authority on funding decisions—and they need to hear from all of us. We are asking staff, residents, board members, and community partners to act now by:
Our work is about people—families, seniors, and individuals striving to live with dignity and purpose. These proposed cuts threaten that mission. We urge you to speak up, share this message, and help us protect the future of public housing and self-sufficiency programs in Rockford and across the country.
For more information, contact us at hello@rockfordha.org or visit rockfordha.org.
Together, we can make our voices heard.
