The Trump administration is gearing up to unleash a housing apocalypse that could leave thousands of Bay Area residents hanging by a thread. In the latest budget proposal, Trump wants to slash the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding by a jaw-dropping 44%, which translates to a $33.5 billion cut that could demolish rental assistance programs.

The Brutal Reality of Rental Vouchers

For the 20,000 households in Santa Clara County relying on Section-8 housing vouchers, this isn’t just a budget cut - it’s a potential eviction notice. These vouchers currently allow low-income families to pay only 30% of their income for rent, with the federal government covering the rest. Now, Trump wants to impose a two-year cap on rental assistance and let states design their own potentially nightmarish programs.

More Than Just Numbers

This isn’t just about spreadsheets and budget lines. It’s about real people facing potential homelessness. Sandy Perry from South Bay Community Land Trust bluntly stated that many state legislatures “literally don’t care if people live or die”. The proposed cuts would not only impact renters but also destabilize local property markets, reduce reliable income for landlords, and potentially increase vacancy risks.

A Strategic Attack on Housing First

Beyond the budget cuts, Trump is systematically dismantling the Interagency Council on Homelessness - a critical coordination body that helps develop federal homelessness strategies. Housing advocates like Tristia Bauman describe this as “an assault on housing first” that goes beyond budget cuts and includes a “strong criminalization component”.