Hudson Valley Congressman Pat Ryan who is a native of Kingston and represents New York’s 19th Congressional District has joined a growing chorus of voices condemning action by the Trump Administration that would end Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental assistance at the end of this month. Ryan said that numerous people in the Hudson Valley, including veterans, have received letters telling them that their federal rental assistance will come to an end March 31.
Ryan reported that the organization Hudson River Housing that distributes HUD funds that support rental costs has told clients that they are set to lose their rental assistance. The affected people include veterans, at-risk homeless youth, and families who currently live in supportive housing or receive rental assistance payments.
Hudson River Housing runs emergency and transitional housing programs to keep individuals out of homelessness. These programs rely on funding from HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), which provides yearly grants to homeless services providers. As of March 7, HUD has refused to confirm whether it will renew Hudson River Housing’s contract, which expires at the end of the month.
“Enough is enough,” Ryan said. “I don’t care who you voted for, or where in the Hudson Valley you’re from – this is simply un-American. Everyone in our community needs to stand up immediately and make it clear: we will not let Donald Trump put dozens of families, including kids and veterans, on the street.”
Ryan reported that HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development, which disburses the rental assistance funding, has already been slated to lose 84% of its staff. He also found that the Hudson Valley is among dozens of communities across the country facing the loss of HUD funds.
“Hudson River Housing is deeply concerned about these disruptions to HUD staffing and funding. Without guarantees from HUD, I’m extremely disappointed to say we will not be able to serve our vulnerable residents past the end of this month,” said Christa Hines, president and CEO of Hudson River Housing. “Our immediate focus is on supporting our residents and local landlord partners as we work to mitigate the financial gaps left by HUD’s disruptions, and we’ll continue to urgently seek clarity to ensure that our residents, community partners, and organization can navigate this moment without devastating consequences.”
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “These cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet — they represent real people who will be left without a safety net. At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, we should be working together to expand housing opportunities, not taking them away. I stand with our community in urging HUD to reconsider this decision.”
According to Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers, “HUD funding helps restore hope and provide housing stability for many families. The possible loss of these funds will be devastating to not only families in the City of Poughkeepsie or Dutchess County, but throughout the country.”
