Murray highlights $7.2 billion increase for HUD

As we continue advancing our mission to address housing stability and prevent homelessness, we closely monitor federal policy decisions that directly affect the communities that we serve. Recent action at the national level will have a meaningful impact across Washington State, including here in King County.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray recently met with Seattle-area housing and service providers to discuss the ongoing housing affordability and homelessness crisis. As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she secured a $7.2 billion increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the latest federal funding bill. This action prevented proposed cuts that would have reduced rental assistance and homelessness programs nationwide.

The funding bill includes significant increases for rental assistance, homeless services, youth homelessness initiatives, and support for survivors of domestic violence. It also adds new protections to ensure Continuum of Care grants continue even during federal administrative delays. 

In addition, Senator Murray secured more than $25 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for affordable housing projects across Washington state, which includes $2.5 million for Friends of Youth’s development of affordable units for foster youth and foster families at their Renton Campus, as well as other units for low-income households, Tribal communities, and additional development in Seattle and King County.

In total, more than 1,000 new affordable housing units in King County will be supported through these investments. Murray emphasized the need for continued partnership and sustained federal support to address rising housing costs and prevent homelessness.

We remain committed to leveraging these opportunities to expand impact, strengthen community partnerships, and advance equitable access to stable housing.