The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that funding for the emergency housing voucher program, crucial for many in Orange County, will not be renewed. On March 6, HUD informed local housing authorities that the final funding allocation should sustain the program through most of 2026, but no further financial support will be provided thereafter.
The emergency housing voucher program, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to assist those on the brink of homelessness by helping them afford rent. In Orange County, this program supports hundreds of households. The Orange County Housing Authority is the largest recipient of these vouchers, with the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana also receiving allocations.
According to CalMatters, the program was initially funded with a $5 billion federal allocation, intended to last until 2030. However, rising rents have accelerated the depletion of funds. Without continued federal support, local housing authorities may struggle to provide assistance to those currently relying on the program.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has authorized the use of 150 Housing Choice, Mainstream, and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to support new supportive housing units in the county, as noted by the Orange County Housing Authority. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of the funding cut on veterans and households experiencing homelessness.
The City of Anaheim, along with other local jurisdictions, is also working to address the housing crisis by releasing a Request for Proposals for the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, which provides funding for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services, as reported by the City of Anaheim.
As the emergency housing voucher program winds down, local leaders are exploring alternative solutions to prevent an increase in homelessness in the region.
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