'Un-American': Formerly homeless veterans may be back on the street after Trump cuts grant

06 March

An American flag at a homeless tent made of camouflage tarp at a road underpass with a car visible (Image: Shutterstock)

As President Donald Trump's administration makes across-the-board budget cuts across multiple federal agencies, some formerly homeless veterans may be poised for direct impact.

ABC 12 Westchester recently reported that a grant from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that helps pay for formerly homeless disabled people and veterans to be housed is now on the chopping block. 39 year-old Hudson Valley resident Liz Albus — a disabled woman with severe mental illness who has an autistic two year-old son — depended on the grant to pay for the bulk of her rent in a two-bedroom apartment in Poughkeepsie, New York. But she received a letter from HUD notifying her that she would now be on the hook for the full rental amount of $1800/month.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances surrounding federal funding, your rental payment assistance is expected to end as of April 1," the letter read."

“When i think about losing this, I’m like – OK. My life is over,” Albus said.

Nonprofit organization Hudson River Housing told ABC 12 that of the 33 formerly homeless people they're serving thanks to the $360,000 HUD grant, three of them are veterans. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) tweeted that cutting off funding helping veterans have shelter was "simply un-American."

"Every single Patriot needs to stand up immediately and make it clear: We will not let Donald Trump put dozens of families, including veterans and kids, on the street," Ryan wrote.

HUD has been particularly impacted by the Trump administration's cuts. NPR reported last month that the agency could fire up to 84% of its staff in its Office of Community Planning and Development. That office funds affordable housing construction and provides disaster relief.

Watch ABC 12's segment below, or by clicking this link.

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