Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins has come out in support of a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other attorneys general along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The lawsuit seeks to block a new policy by the Trump administration that could cost states about $3.6 billion in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The funding is for HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) program that supports local and regional coalitions providing housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including veterans and people with disabilities. In 2024, New York state received $326 million in CoC funding.
“Based on our initial review with the Departments of Mental Health and Social Services, these new federal restrictions could result in up to $26 million in lost revenue (for Westchester County), funding that directly supports permanent housing, rental assistance, mental health services, and critical programs for people experiencing homelessness,” Jenkins said. “This would jeopardize stability for thousands of Westchester families, individuals with disabilities, veterans and young people.”
CoC was created by Congress during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. It has has had bipartisan support over the years and had been HUD’s preferred method for addressing homelessness until the Trump administration’s change in policy. The Trump administration imposed changes that included funding caps that eliminated two-thirds of funds for housing. CoC funds also had been providing support services such as childcare, job training, mental health and trauma counseling, and transportation services to assist people getting to and from work. It also cut funding to organizations that acknowledge the existence of transgender people.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. It names as defendants the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Eric Scott Turner in his official capacity as secretary of HUD.
The lawsuit argues that the administration’s new conditions on CoC funding are unlawful and unconstitutional. It says that the administration cannot impose its own conditions on funds that Congress mandated should be distributed based solely on need. It says that the administration is violating the Administrative Procedure Act and Congress’ constitutional power to control spending.
“We are deeply concerned that these changes would not only dismantle effective, evidence-based programs, but also penalize providers who serve LGBTQ residents and those with mental health challenges,” Jenkins said. “We will do all we can to ensure these cuts are stopped and that our residents continue to receive the housing and supportive services they need to live.”
James said that the loss of funding would eliminate rental assistance for thousands of vulnerable tenants in New York, including many with mental health challenges. She warned that communities all over New York could see thousands of evictions that would threaten to overwhelm shelters at the time of year that temperatures drop to dangerous levels.
“These funds help keep tens of thousands of people from sleeping on the streets every night,” James said. “I will not allow this administration to cut off these funds and put vital housing and support services at risk.”
Joining James in filing the lawsuit were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
