What The $1 Billion Program Cut Means For Our Unhoused Neighbors
The fight to end homelessness just got harder.
The Trump administration has terminated the $1 billion Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, a critical initiative that preserved affordable housing for tens of thousands of low-income Americans. This decision, directed by President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has sent shockwaves through communities already struggling with housing insecurity – including right here in Tampa.
The Program That Did More Than Energy Upgrades
On paper, the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program provided grants and loans for energy-efficiency improvements in affordable housing. But in reality, it was so much more.
This program:
Required participating properties to remain affordable for up to 25 years
Served as the financial foundation that attracted additional investments for critical repairs
Supported at least 25,000 affordable housing units nationwide
Prevented deterioration that would have forced vulnerable residents onto the streets
As Mike Essian of American Community Developers puts it: "Projects will fail, and these are projects that are already difficult to finance."
Real People, Real Consequences
While politicians debate budgets and efficiency, real people are left wondering where they will live.
In Vancouver, Washington, residents of Smith Tower Apartments – a 170-unit building housing low-income seniors – were counting on a $10 million grant from this program to fund necessary safety upgrades.
Al Hase and Joan Starr, residents in their 70s living on limited Social Security incomes, described the news as "kinda terrifying, it's almost like getting news from a doctor that something's going to take your life in six months or a year." (See APNews)
For them, and thousands like them, affordable housing isn't a policy debate – it's survival.
What This Means for Tampa
Tampa is already facing one of the nation's highest homelessness rates – 57 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents. Our community is still recovering from Hurricane Milton, and many families are barely hanging on.
This federal cut couldn't come at a worse time:
Housing costs in Tampa continue to skyrocket
42% of Hillsborough County households already struggle to meet basic needs
Our affordable housing inventory is rapidly shrinking
Many properties desperately need the exact kind of renovation support this program provided
As administrators at similar properties have noted, "If this building were not here, a lot of our folks actually probably would be homeless."
A Fundamental Shift in Approach
This cut reflects a broader philosophical shift in how the federal government views homelessness.
The "Housing First" approach – adopted with bipartisan support during President George W. Bush's administration – is being abandoned. This evidence-based framework prioritizes getting people into stable housing before addressing other issues like substance abuse or employment.
Instead, we're seeing a move toward policies that view homelessness primarily as a personal failing rather than a systemic housing issue.
The data tells a different story:
Homelessness increased 18% nationwide last year
Nearly 3 out of 10 people experiencing homelessness are families with children
17% of all unhoused people are children under 18
A full-time minimum wage worker cannot afford market-rate housing anywhere in America
As Sarah Saadian of the National Low Income Housing Coalition warns: "If we are losing the homes that are currently affordable and available to households, then we're losing ground on the crisis. It's sort of like having a boat with a hole at the bottom." (See Newsweek)
Local Solutions When Federal Support Fails
At The Bautista Project, we've always worked at the community level, and this moment calls for even stronger local action.
While the federal government reconsiders its role in affordable housing, our commitment to Tampa's unhoused neighbors remains unwavering. We recognize that:
Preserving existing affordable housing is crucial to preventing more people from experiencing homelessness
Community-based organizations are more important than ever when federal safety nets are being removed
Practical, compassionate solutions work regardless of political shifts
What You Can Do
As policy debates continue in Washington, there are concrete steps you can take to help:
Support local organizations that provide direct assistance to those experiencing homelessness
Volunteer with groups working to address immediate needs
Advocate for affordable housing preservation at the local level
Educate yourself and others about the true causes of homelessness
Donate to organizations providing critical services
Standing Together
At The Bautista Project, we remain committed to ending homelessness one person at a time. While federal priorities may shift, our mission does not.
The termination of this $1 billion program will have real, painful consequences for vulnerable Americans. But together, we can continue to create local solutions that provide dignity, support, and hope.
Our unhoused neighbors aren't "drug zombies with dead eyes" as some would characterize them. They are veterans, seniors, families with children, and individuals who deserve our compassion and support. They are our community members who need affordable, safe places to live.
We will continue to stand with them, regardless of changing political winds.
How You Can Help: Visit www.thebautistaprojectinc.org/donate to support our efforts to combat homelessness in Tampa Bay.
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