United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

Harris County received more than $300 million in Hurricane Harvey recovery grants three years ago for 11 flood control projects originally due in February. A one-year extension was granted last month, but officials remain uncertain whether it provides enough time. The Texas General Land Office, which administers the HUD funding, rejected the county's proposed project swaps and scope changes, citing a pattern of delays and vague planning by the Harris County Flood Control District. A Commissioner's Court presentation on the projects was postponed after Commissioner Adrian Garcia said it lacked sufficient detail. County Judge Lina Hidalgo says work is progressing and she doesn't expect funds to be forfeited, but missing deadlines could leave the county responsible for millions in completion costs.

A survivor of the May tornado that struck St. Louis's Ville neighborhood traveled to Capitol Hill this week to lobby lawmakers for federal disaster recovery funding, as the city says it still needs roughly $1 billion to rebuild. Michael McLemore, whose neighborhood has seen widespread demolition of damaged homes, joined disaster survivors from 11 states as part of the advocacy group Rebuild, pushing for money through HUD's Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, which has not received new appropriations since the end of 2024.

Sen. Josh Hawley has separately urged a Senate Appropriations subcommittee to unlock funding for the program, saying St. Louis and other Missouri communities need it. City officials, including chief recovery officer Julian Nicks, say the funds are essential to rebuilding lost rental and residential housing. Advocates warn housing instability will worsen as winter approaches, and are urging Congress not to let North St. Louis's long-term recovery needs be forgotten.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is stepping away from the federal administrative duties it has held for roughly three decades, including coordinating the region's annual homeless count and applying for over $200 million in yearly HUD funding, effective next month. The agency's governing commission voted unanimously not to apply to retain these roles after a months-long legal battle with the federal government, which had suspended LAHSA in June over management concerns tied to alleged fraud. A federal judge paused that suspension in August, but an appeals court issued a temporary stay, leaving LAHSA's status uncertain. The day after LAHSA's decision, federal prosecutors announced new fraud and bribery charges against a nonprofit founder accused of siphoning $1 million in homelessness funds routed through the agency.

The city of Los Angeles and L.A. County are now competing to take over LAHSA's federal responsibilities, including the homeless count, funding applications, and HUD-mandated housing databases. County officials, who already pulled over $300 million in funding from LAHSA earlier this year, argue the county should lead. City leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass and mayoral challenger Nithya Raman, are also weighing an independent system, though the city has yet to hire a consultant to draft a transition plan. Applicants face a September 25 deadline, with final selections subject to HUD and federal court review.

A legal dispute between the Trump administration and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) over federal Continuum of Care grants is straining dozens of local nonprofits that serve people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic violence. HUD suspended LAHSA from federal grant activity this summer, prompting a lawsuit. A federal judge ordered HUD to execute stalled grant agreements, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed that order pending its own review, leaving contracts unresolved for months.

Providers including the Downtown Women's Center, House of Ruth, The People Concern, and Jewish Family Service L.A. say they are burning through reserves and private donations, cutting staff hours, and covering hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly costs without reimbursement. LAHSA says more than 50 providers could be affected, with nearly $65 million in grants at risk by year's end. HUD maintains it isn't obligated to release funds while the appeal is pending, citing concerns about LAHSA's management. The Ninth Circuit is expected to hear arguments soon, with a status conference to follow.

Republicans are targeting Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, both New York Democrats, for voting against a federal spending bill that included funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, despite both having previously touted their support for the program. The bill, HR 7148, passed the House 217-214 on Feb. 3 and was signed by President Trump, ending a four-day government shutdown. It provided funding for several federal departments and extended the WTC health program's funding formula through 2040 to address rising medical costs for 9/11 responders and survivors.

Most Democrats opposed the bill amid a standoff over ICE funding, though 21 Democrats, including Reps. Josh Gottheimer and James Clyburn, voted for it. The National Republican Congressional Committee accused Suozzi and Gillen of hypocrisy given their earlier statements backing the health program. Both campaigns pushed back, with Suozzi's team calling it a partisan attack and Gillen's spokesperson citing her personal ties to 9/11 and record of advocacy. Both Long Island Democrats face competitive re-election races in November.

Miami-Dade County's Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) has launched "Welcome H.O.M.E." (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone), a lottery program aimed at improving access to homeownership amid soaring local housing costs. Developed in partnership with JL Brown Development Corp., the program offers three newly constructed homes to eligible applicants, who may qualify for up to $150,000 in down payment and homebuyer assistance, subject to available funds. The homes are not free — winners must still qualify for their own financing.

Eligible applicants must earn up to 140% of the area median income, which was roughly $89,800 in 2026 for the Miami metro area. The randomized lottery ranks applicants one through ten, giving the top six 60 days to qualify for a home before the next applicant is contacted. Applications opened September 1 and were expected to run through September 30 or until 200 qualified applications were received — but the program has already closed. Miami-Dade's median home listing price was $588,700 in August, well above Florida's statewide median of $419,000.