Each year, Congress passes a budget, allocating funds to federal programs, including housing and homelessness programs. This page explains where Congress is in the process and includes funding levels for key programs.

HUD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program represents the primary source of federal funding for programs serving people experiencing homelessness. In 2009, the HEARTH Act made significant improvements to this program, though securing funding for implementation is still ongoing.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS provides funding for several programs that provide services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (the “Housing Choice Voucher program”) is the primary program assisting extremely low-income people with the cost of housing. Ongoing efforts aim to streamline and enhance the program.

Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) programs help prevent exploitation of youth on the streets and support reconnection to their families, schools, employment, and housing options.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has a variety of programs targeted toward veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This page offers an overview of those programs and their purpose within the VA homelessness system.

In 2008, the National Housing Trust Fund was established as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. However, the Trust Fund has not yet been funded, and concerted advocacy efforts are underway to change that.

The Budget Control Act of 2011 required two steps to reduce the federal deficit: reduced spending over the next nine fiscal years, and sequestration. Sequestration, the automatic, across-the-board cuts to many defense and non-defense programs, went into effect on March 1, 2013.