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Trump budget proposal could undercut Chattanooga residents exiting homelessness

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Chauncey Justice stands outside the Chatt Foundation on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Chauncey Justice stands outside the Chatt Foundation on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Chauncey Justice stands outside the Chatt Foundation on Thursday, July 24, 2025.


A funding policy change to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommended by the White House would limit rental assistance for able-bodied adults to two years.

The change, which has not been adopted by Congress, could result in people living in public housing projects or who receive housing vouchers being pushed into homelessness in Chattanooga and across the country, housing advocates said.

According to the Chattanooga Housing Authority, which administers federal rental assistance programs locally, nearly 3,000 heads of household have lived in subsidized housing for two or more years.

Baron King, CEO of the Chatt Foundation, which provides services to Chattanooga’s homeless population, worries the changes would bring negative outcomes.