1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The decision to terminate the $1 billion Green and Resilient Retrofit Program for affordable housing, directed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk, is concerning. This program was designed to preserve and maintain tens of thousands of affordable housing units across the country through grants and loans for energy-efficiency improvements. Its termination could lead to the deterioration of these units, further exacerbating the nation's affordable housing crisis. It is crucial to recognize that affordable housing is a critical issue impacting millions of low-income Americans. The shortage of affordable units has already contributed to an 18 percent rise in homelessness nationwide, according to HUD data. Eliminating a program specifically aimed at preserving existing affordable housing stock would be counterproductive and detrimental to the most vulnerable members of society. Furthermore, this unilateral decision by DOGE and the Trump administration appears to circumvent the legislative process. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 prohibits the executive branch from withholding funds appropriated by Congress, suggesting that this action may be in violation of the law and the constitutional separation of powers. It is imperative that any decisions regarding federal housing programs, which have far-reaching consequences for communities across the nation, are made through proper channels and with due consideration for the potential impact on the lives of citizens. Affordable housing should be a priority, not an afterthought, and any actions that jeopardize the availability of such housing must be critically evaluated and subject to robust public discourse.