FOLLOWING INDEPENDENCE DAY, CONGRESSMAN RYAN DEMANDS TRUMP REVERSE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD PUT FORMERLY HOMELESS VETERANS BACK ON THE STREET

Following Independence Day, Congressman Ryan Demands Trump Reverse Proposal That Would Put Formerly Homeless Veterans Back on The Street

Following alarming reporting from the Supportive Housing Network of New York – which showed 1500+ NY veterans on track to lose their housing – Congressman Pat Ryan is fighting back against Trump’s harmful budget that would put thousands of veterans on the street 

In a letter to President Trump, Congressman Ryan demanded the administration revoke a proposal to significantly cut funding and limit permanent supportive housing assistance for veterans and others facing homelessness

WASHINGTON, DC  –  Today, following Independence Day and alarming reporting from the Supportive Housing Network of New York, Congressman Pat Ryan is fighting back against Trump’s harmful budget that would put 1,500 formerly homeless New York veterans – who fought to preserve this country’s independence – back on the street. 

In a letter to President Trump, Congressman Ryan demanded that the administration revoke a proposal to significantly cut funding and limit permanent supportive housing assistance for veterans and others facing homelessness.

“Independence Day celebrates not only the birth of our great nation, but the brave soldiers who have fought for American freedom. Trump, with the help and complacency of House Republicans, is threatening to kick veterans to the curb,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “It’s despicable. Instead of fulfilling our sacred duty to care for veterans who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom, Trump is choosing to rip away desperately needed support. I’m calling on the President and all of my Republican colleagues – especially my fellow New Yorkers – to stand up against this un-American attack on our nation’s heroes and reject this proposal.” 

“The cuts on the table on Capitol Hill are dangerous for all vulnerable individuals, but when it comes to formerly homeless veterans, it is profoundly un-American to even consider reductions that threaten their housing,” said Pascale Leone, Executive Director of the Network. “These are individuals who have fought on the front lines to protect our nation. As we mark the anniversary of our nation’s hard-won independence, we must not turn our backs on the people who selflessly served to get us to the moment.”

“Hudson River Housing is proud to offer a range of housing solutions for veterans facing homelessness, including both supportive and affordable housing programs that have helped many individuals who bravely served our country find stability and rebuild their lives,” said Christa Hines, President and CEO of Hudson River Housing. “These programs would not be possible without critical federal funding, which truly honors and gives back to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. As we celebrate this 4th of July holiday with our families and loved ones, we should take some time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served and recognize the vital role we all play in ensuring they have a safe, stable place to call home.” 

Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposes collapsing multiple housing programs that keep formerly homeless veterans off the street into one, cutting $532 million and introducing a two year limit on assistance that effectively ends federal support for permanent supportive housing as we know it. In addition, this proposal imposes onerous new cost-sharing requirements on housing organizations, eliminates funding for critical homelessness data collection efforts, and ends technical assistance that helps organizations administer benefits and ensure compliance.

For years, New York has led the nation in combatting veteran homelessness. In 2010, 5,857 veterans experienced homelessness statewide, comprising 16% of all people experiencing homelessness. In 2024, this decreased to just 1,180, or 1% of the total homeless population statewide. These gains are now threatened by the funding cuts proposed by the Trump Administration and under consideration by the Republican-led Congress. 

In the Spring, Congressman Ryan raised the alarm on harmful cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that would have caused Hudson River Housing to raise rents and evict tenants, including children and veterans. He wrote a letter to HUD Secretary Turner, demanding no cuts to critical housing programs. After rallying with local partners and elected officials, Congressman Ryan secured an initial victory, and the majority of the funds were secured. 

The full text of Congressman Ryan’s letter to President Trump is included below: 

Dear President Trump, 

I write to express my outrage regarding your plan to gut permanent supportive housing programs for homeless veterans and other vulnerable Americans. Your proposals will have an immediate and devastating impact on those who have served our country honorably. I strongly urge you to revoke your plans to cut housing assistance and commit to supporting veterans who face homelessness. 

As you know, your Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal would collapse the Continuum of Care (CoC) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs within the Emergency Solutions Grants Program, slashing $532 million in funding and establishing a two year time limit on assistance. These programs provide over 170,000 permanent supportive housing units to keep vulnerable Americans off the streets. In New York, over 7,400 formerly homeless veterans rely on these programs for housing.  

By cutting funding and establishing time limits on assistance, your proposal recklessly threatens to throw these heroes out of their homes and onto the street. Instead of fulfilling our sacred duty to care for veterans who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom, you have chosen to rip away desperately needed assistance. You must reverse course. I’m urging you to revoke this misguided proposal and work to strengthen housing assistance for our veterans. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you on your plan to support veterans facing homelessness. 

Sincerely, 

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