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4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPINIOIN Executive order directs HUD to cut Section 8 spending STEVEN Groundcover contributor On March 2 of this year, the U.S. regime currently in power proposed draconian alterations that would essentially end housing subsidies, also known as Housing Choice Vouchers, or Section 8. The federal Housing Choice program is the largest affordable housing program in the country, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ending Section 8 would affect more than 3 million people, half of whom are children. This puts all of them at increased risk of falling into homelessness because the pompous pumpkin POTUS said cutting rental aid by 40% and putting a two-year limit on benefits for able-bodied people would “Make America Affordable again.” Is he trying to make real estate more affordable for the already-bloated predatory landlords through the inevitable evictions of the working class? Is that going to, as the administration is crowing, make them more self-sufficient? Many landlords oppose this plan as well, preferring to keep longterm government-subsidized, reliable tenants for longer than two years. “Establishing Flexibility for Implementation of Work Requirements and Term Limits.” That's what the plan is called. Government double-talk at its finest — a long, obscure title with big words saying nothing. This is a directive to HUD to get around Congress who already rejected the plan. The “flexibility” is that the states will have more flexibility on how to spend the smaller amounts of money they will receive. Similar to how the states can spend welfare money. Maybe they’ll spend it on poor people’s rent even if they don’t have to? Unlike how they diverted the welfare money when it was awarded in the same way. To find out what it actually means I read "The Federal Register." "The Federal Register," I recently learned, is the official daily journal of the federal government used to announce notices of proposed rules (allowing public comment), final rules (changes to the law), presidential proclamations, and executive orders. I want to make sure you notice that it is open to public comment. Comments are open until May 1, 2026 on this issue. After Googling “The Federal Register,” it was my top choice. I was greeted by an avalanche of data. The current issue, published April 6, 2026, has 101 documents from 42 agencies consisting of 474 pages. If you don’t know what to call what you're looking for, good luck finding it. But I did know what I was looking for. I typed in the name of the proposal and found it. There are only 228 comments as I write this. This topic that will affect millions has less comments than I routinely get on Reddit. This forum should be talked about more and engaged with more. I’d never heard of it until this week. I urge people to comment. Whatever you think, show them we are paying attention. Most of the people affected by HUD’s plan are employed — brutally underemployed, but employed. Deborah Thorpe, deputy director at the National Housing Law Project, said in a statement, “This proposal is based on false and harmful stereotypes, rather than concrete data or best practices, it ignores the fact that most participants in federal housing programs who can work do in fact work. Saving enough to move off of assistance takes a long time and a lot of support.” As of 2023, 50%, more than 22.6 million renters, were cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on living expenses. This includes more than 12.1 million who are severely burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing and utilities. Between 2019 and 2023 the share of renters with cost burdens increased in 43 of 50 states. More than half of all renters were cost-burdened, which indicates paying more than 30% of income on rent, in 13 states and in 50 of the 100 largest metro areas. Trump is asking HUD to cut rental aid by 40%. Where is he planning on spending all that sweet, sweet poor-people money? The cost of the current war-crime, based on the Pentagon’s briefing to Congress was $11.3 billion for the first six days plus $1 billion/day ongoing. As housing costs have grown, many households have less money available to cover other necessities. In 2023, renters with incomes below $30,000 had a median of just $250 per month left over after paying for housing. Many are forced to make difficult spending trade-offs between crucial needs, employment RESOURCE CORNER JOB DEVELOPER'S ALLIANCE A collaborative of 10 community organizations with the mission to help those underserved job seekers find suitable employment. The clients are invited to two events per year to help connect them with employers. Washtenaw County agencies that are represented in the JDA: Ann Arbor Housing Commission, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, Department of Corrections - Women's Huron Valley, Jewish Family Services, Michigan Ability Partners, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Path For Ability Vocation Enterprise, Work Skills Corporation, and Washtenaw Community College Career Services www.washtenaw.org/4497/ Job-Developers-Alliance GROUNDCOVER NEWS 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor (In the basement of Bethlehem United Church of Christ) 734-263-2098 contact@groundcovernews.com Office hours: Monday through Saturday 11a.m. - 3 p.m. New vendor orientations: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. A street newspaper which offers employment to people selling it: those experiencing homelessness or poverty. MICHIGAN WORKS 304 Harriet St., Ypsilanti 734-714-9814 Mon.-Wed.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.;Tuesday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. and Sun.: Closed. Resource room with computers, printers, and copiers; Unemployment pairing — once an active resume is on the state's website; Direct lines to the unemployment office; Workshops; Job fairs twice a month (first and third Thursday of the month); Large annual job fair, often held in May; Helps to train entry level workers so they can move up in positions; Variety of adult programs (depending on needs and wants); Younger youth (14-17 years): out of school and in-school job options; Older youth (18-24 years): summer employment in partnership with U-M; Tuition assistance; Car repair and insurance assistance depending on the program; Work clothing; Mileage to get to/from work/school; Outreach programs: resume training for those exiting jail; Free background checks; Assistance with the $30 for GED classes — must be enrolled in a MI Works program. WASHTENAW COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER The team is available via phone at 734-249-5880, or email at entrepreneurship@wccnet.edu, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Friday except for holidays and closures. Explore their website at: www.wccnet.edu/succeed/entrepreneurship-center/index.php/ The Entrepreneurship Center at Washtenaw Community College is a welcoming resource hub that supports individuals in developing their entrepreneurial capacity. Through thoughtful conversations, partnerships, and programs, those at the college and in the surrounding communities are inspired and driven to actively grow their ventures as professionals, social innovators, or business owners. MAY 1, 2026 including healthcare, food and retirement savings, according to the 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey. In those circumstances, how does one save for a deposit on a new apartment, let alone find an apartment that is close in cost to a vouchered apartment in two years? If you have an answer that works please email Groundcover News and I’ll write about it. He’s coming for you, too, middle-class readers. While households with lower incomes constitute the bulk of burdened renters, the strain is creeping up the income ladder. Fully 83% of renters earning under $30,000 were cost-burdened in the most recent data, including an astounding 67% with severe burdens. But burden rates were also over 70% for renters earning $30,000-$44,999, an increase of 15 percentage points since 2001. During the same period, burden rates doubled to more than 45% for renters earning $45,000-$74,999. Lots of statistics to crunch here. These are big numbers. This issue affects millions of our fellow citizens. People doing it right. Working people. The goal posts of the American Dream keep getting moved further out of reach. Nobody should have to choose between food or medicine. Retirement savings are a thing other people do. My $250 a month doesn't stretch as far as I’d like. Dentists? Doctors? Mental health medications? Nope, just rent. Editor's note: Readers who miss the May 1 deadline to share public comment are encouraged to contact their federal U.S. representatives.

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