Housing Advocates Rally Against Proposed HUD Funding Cuts in Austin

Austin, September 24, 2025

News Summary

Housing advocates gathered in Austin to protest proposed funding cuts of over $33 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by the Trump administration. The rally aimed to persuade Senator John Cornyn to oppose these cuts, which could lead to increased homelessness and loss of rental assistance for millions. Activists highlighted the impact these cuts could have on disabled individuals and low-income families, stressing the urgent need to maintain funding for housing stability and essential services.

Austin, Texas – Housing advocates gathered outside Senator John Cornyn’s office on Tuesday to protest the Trump administration’s proposed funding cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The rally aimed to persuade Senator Cornyn to oppose cuts totaling over $33 billion, which could severely impact housing stability for millions.

Supporters emphasized the urgent need to maintain funding for essential services, stating that cuts threaten to exacerbate instability in housing. Activists pointed out that many individuals have already lost crucial forms of assistance, such as food stamps and support from community attendants. Laura Ann Martinez, a leader with Vocal Texas, reported that she relies on housing vouchers to avoid homelessness.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, introduced by President Trump, includes reductions representing nearly half of HUD’s total funding. Advocates warn that these cuts could result in the loss of rental assistance for millions nationwide, increase homelessness, and add pressure on public housing resources.

Another advocate from Vocal Texas, Barry Jones, stressed that millions of disabled individuals depend on the housing vouchers that would be affected by these cuts. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported that as many as 600,000 people in Texas could face homelessness if federal rental assistance is reduced, including over 22,000 individuals in Travis County.

A spokesperson for Senator Cornyn indicated that the office typically engages with Texans who schedule appointments to express their concerns. The rally coincided with a national week of action aimed at opposing housing cuts during Congressional discussions around a federal spending bill.

The Community Development Commission in Austin opted not to endorse the city’s federal housing funding plan for the upcoming fiscal year due to worries that potential federal budget cuts might worsen homelessness. The proposed FY25/26 Action Plan includes approximately $14 million in federal housing funds, which is pending review by the City Council on July 24.

During discussions, commissioners emphasized the necessity for flexibility in confronting homelessness and highlighted preventive strategies to address short-term housing instability. Mandy DeMayo, interim director of the Housing Department, acknowledged that while current federal grant totals remain stable, there are concerns that financial pressures could alter the availability of these funds.

Commissioners also underlined the importance of supporting day labor programs for unhoused residents and discussed the possibility of a formal recommendation to the City Council. However, the existing federal funding structure limits the capacity to develop new programs without negatively impacting existing services, thereby complicating efforts to address housing needs.

Furthermore, there are apprehensions regarding low public engagement in a recent survey that aimed to gather community input on housing-related needs. The action plan, which is part of a five-year strategy, aims to effectively deploy federal funds across various housing programs and includes a commitment to incorporate public feedback in future revisions.

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Additional Resources

• Austin Monitor: Housing Plan Advances to Council
• Wikipedia: Housing Policy in the United States
• Statesman: Home & House Prices in Texas Metros
• Google Search: Austin Housing Market 2025
• Multi-Housing News: Mixed-Income Community in Austin
• Google Scholar: Mixed-Income Housing Communities
• Austin Monitor: HUD Cuts Could Endanger Federal Funds
• Encyclopedia Britannica: HUD Funding Cuts
• KVUE: East Austin Artist Affordable Housing Community
• Google News: Affordable Housing Austin

Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER

The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.