The Trump administration is working on a plan for time limits on rental aid
Source: NPR
June 4, 2025 5:35 PM ET
The Department of Housing and Urban Development wants to limit the amount of time people can get federal rental subsidies and add work requirements as a condition of funding, according to an internal document seen by NPR. Only a few local housing authorities currently have the authority granted by Congress to impose such restrictions if they choose. The agency is writing a rule that would vastly expand that number — bypassing Congress in the process.
A HUD spokesperson offered no confirmation or details on the proposal, but pointed to the two-year time limit in President Trump's recent budget proposal, "which will be immensely helpful to empower families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence."Any rule would be subject to a public comment period before being finalized, and could potentially face a legal challenge over the lack of congressional approval.
Millions of people could be subject to new restrictions
Some nine million people in the U.S. get federal housing assistance. Most are elderly or disabled, and would be exempt from the new policies, according to a HUD employee familiar with the plans for a time limit rule, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
But that still leaves millions who could face harsh consequences, especially at a time when the cost of rent is increasingly unaffordable for large numbers of Americans. "It would have a devastating impact on families," said Deborah Thrope, deputy director at the National Housing Law Project.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/nx-s1-5422410/housing-rent-assistance-time-limits-work-requirements-hud