President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal would slash federal rental assistance programs by an estimated 40 to 44 percent, representing approximately $26.72 billion in cuts to HUD’s affordable housing and rental support initiatives. However, some federal rent relief programs remain active today, though many are operating in their final phases. The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program that distributed $46.55 billion during the pandemic has largely wound down, but renters may still access remaining state and local relief programs, Emergency Housing Vouchers, and resources through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s housing portal.
The key distinction: Trump’s proposal aims to eliminate or drastically reduce federal programs, but that plan requires Congressional approval. Congress controls the federal budget, not the presidency alone. In the meantime, renters who face eviction or housing insecurity should know exactly which programs still exist and how quickly they are disappearing. For example, a renter in California facing a $2,000 monthly shortfall in April 2026 might qualify for state rental assistance, but that same program could be unavailable within months depending on state funding levels and the final Congressional budget decisions.
Table of Contents
- What Trump’s Budget Proposal Would Cut and Why It Matters
- Which Federal Programs Have Already Ended and Timeline for Closures
- What Remains Active: Emergency Housing Vouchers and State Programs
- How to Access Remaining Federal Rental Assistance Resources Right Now
- Critical Warnings About Program Depletion and Income Limits
- The Congressional Approval Process and Timeline for Budget Changes
- What Renters Should Do Now and Future Outlook
- Conclusion
What Trump’s Budget Proposal Would Cut and Why It Matters
trump‘s FY2026 budget request proposes a total of $33.6 billion in cuts to HUD funding overall, with rental assistance bearing the heaviest blow. The specific request is to cut $26.72 billion from rental assistance programs—a 43 percent reduction from the previous year. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, this represents a 44 percent cut to HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs combined.
These aren’t speculative projections; they’re formal line items in the federal budget proposal submitted to Congress. The elimination of federal rental programs would fundamentally reshape housing assistance in America. The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, which operated during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, helped more than 10 million renters avoid eviction by covering back rent and utility payments. Removing federal funding for rental assistance means the entire burden would shift to state and local governments, most of which lack the resources to fill the gap. Consider the practical impact: a family in a rural county that relies on federal ERA funding would lose access when that program expires, with no guaranteed replacement at the state or local level.
Which Federal Programs Have Already Ended and Timeline for Closures
The Emergency rental Assistance program has already largely ceased operations. ERA1, which distributed $25 billion, concluded its period of performance earlier, while ERA2—the second and final tranche of $21.55 billion—officially ended on September 30, 2025. Grantees and program administrators can no longer use ERA2 funds to assist renters as of that date. By January 28, 2026, all ERA2 grantees were required to submit final reports to the U.S.
Department of the Treasury, marking the official close of the nation’s largest pandemic-era rental assistance initiative. This represents a critical limitation for renters who still owed back rent after September 30, 2025: they lost access to the primary federal program designed to prevent evictions. The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) has documented that many renters fell through the cracks during the ERA wind-down period. While ERA distributed over 10 million assistance payments during its operation, hundreds of thousands of rental debt cases were never resolved before the program’s deadline. Now those cases—unpaid rent from 2020 through 2025—remain the responsibility of individual renters facing potential eviction and debt collection lawsuits.
What Remains Active: Emergency Housing Vouchers and State Programs
Despite the ERA program’s closure, the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program continues to operate, though with significant financial pressures. The EHV program provides subsidies to help extremely low-income households access rental housing. However, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, EHV funding is projected to deplete in 2026 due to rapid rent increases consuming available funds faster than anticipated. This means another federal program is racing toward depletion even before Trump’s budget proposal becomes law. State and local rental relief programs remain available in several jurisdictions.
California, for example, continues operating state-funded rental assistance programs separate from the federal ERA program. These state programs vary widely in eligibility, maximum benefit amounts, and processing times. Renters should note an important distinction: state programs typically have far fewer resources than the federal ERA program had. A state program might serve thousands of renters, whereas ERA served millions. Additionally, state programs often have stricter income limits or prioritize tenants facing imminent eviction, meaning families behind on rent but not yet facing court proceedings may not qualify.
How to Access Remaining Federal Rental Assistance Resources Right Now
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) hosts an interagency housing portal at consumerfinance.gov where renters can search for remaining rental assistance programs by state and ZIP code. This portal aggregates information about state and local programs, emergency assistance funds, and other housing resources. The U.S. Department of the Treasury also maintains a comprehensive page on the Emergency Rental Assistance program that includes links to state-specific resources and program contacts.
To access these resources, renters should first verify their state’s current programs and application deadlines. The comparison is stark: during the height of ERA, renters could often expect decisions within weeks; state programs now typically require 4 to 12 weeks for processing, if they accept new applications at all. Renters facing immediate eviction should simultaneously contact their state program (if available), local legal aid organizations, and tenant advocacy groups. Many jurisdictions offer emergency eviction prevention funds that operate separately from formal rental assistance programs. For example, a renter in a city with an emergency fund might receive $5,000 in rapid assistance for rent and utilities, but that same renter might be on a six-month waitlist for their state’s rental assistance program.
Critical Warnings About Program Depletion and Income Limits
One of the most significant limitations of remaining programs is income eligibility. Federal ERA programs historically served renters earning up to 80 percent of area median income. Many state programs now cap eligibility at 50 percent of area median income, excluding moderate-income renters who still struggle to afford rising rents. A single parent earning $48,000 annually might have qualified for federal ERA but could be ineligible for their state’s program. This creates a dangerous gap where renters are too wealthy for assistance but too poor to afford market-rate rents without assistance.
Another critical warning: state and local programs are depleting rapidly. If a state program accepts applications now, there is no guarantee it will remain open in six months. Renters waiting for a decision could face eviction proceedings during their application process. Additionally, the Emergency Housing Voucher program’s projected 2026 depletion means another federal program will cease accepting new applications within the next few months. Renters should apply for any available programs immediately rather than waiting, even if they are uncertain about their eligibility. Programs often have first-come, first-served waitlists, and delays in applying could mean the difference between assistance and eviction.
The Congressional Approval Process and Timeline for Budget Changes
Trump’s budget proposal, while it includes the proposed 44 percent cut to HUD funding, is not law. Congress must approve any budget allocations and program eliminations. This is a crucial point for renters and advocates to understand: even if Trump proposes cutting rental assistance programs, Congress could reject those cuts partially or entirely. The Bipartisan Policy Center emphasizes that only Congress has the authority to allocate federal funds and eliminate federal programs.
The FY2026 budget process typically concludes by October 1, 2025, though Congress frequently operates under continuing resolutions that delay final budget approval. This means there could be a window of several months where the fate of federal rental programs remains uncertain. Renters and tenant advocates should monitor Congressional action on the HUD budget and contact their representatives if they oppose the proposed cuts. Historical precedent shows that bipartisan opposition to housing cuts can influence budget outcomes, though such victories are far from guaranteed.
What Renters Should Do Now and Future Outlook
The future of federal rent relief remains uncertain but dire under the current proposal. Renters should take three immediate actions: First, investigate whether they qualify for any remaining state or local rental assistance programs and apply now. Second, if facing eviction, contact local legal aid organizations and tenant rights groups immediately—many provide free legal representation for eviction defense. Third, review their lease and local tenant protection laws to understand their rights. Some jurisdictions have eviction moratoriums or just-cause eviction requirements that could provide protection even without rental assistance.
Looking forward, the housing affordability crisis will likely intensify if federal rental assistance programs are eliminated without replacement. Eviction filings will increase, and renters with past-due rent from the COVID-era will face mounting debt collection efforts. Advocates and policymakers should expect Congressional debates throughout 2026 about whether to restore federal funding for rental assistance or allow remaining programs to deplete. For renters currently seeking assistance, the window to access federal or state programs is closing rapidly—the Emergency Rental Assistance program is gone, the Emergency Housing Voucher program faces depletion in 2026, and state programs are operating with limited resources and eligibility. Acting immediately is not optional.
Conclusion
Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal would cut 40 to 44 percent from federal rental assistance programs, representing approximately $26.72 billion in reductions to HUD funding. The Emergency Rental Assistance program that served over 10 million renters has already closed, as of September 30, 2025. However, the proposal requires Congressional approval, and renters can still access remaining programs through state initiatives, the Emergency Housing Voucher program, and local relief funds through the CFPB’s housing portal.
Renters facing housing insecurity should act immediately to apply for any available programs while funding remains. The combination of federal program wind-downs, state program limitations, and the potential Congressional approval of Trump’s budget cuts means the rental assistance landscape is fundamentally changing. Understanding what remains active and moving quickly to access available resources is essential for renters at risk of eviction.