On a morning in March 2025, property managers overseeing 25,000 affordable housing units across 42 states discovered that $1 billion in approved federal funding had vanished. The DOGE Affordable Housing Program Termination left no warning, no official explanation, and no backup plan for low-income families and seniors who depended on critical building repairs.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, terminated the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program without consulting stakeholders. This decision affects thousands of families facing housing insecurity at a time when homelessness has risen 18% nationwide.
This article examines what the program was, why it was terminated, who was affected, and what you can do about it.
What Was the DOGE Affordable Housing Program?
Program Origins and the Inflation Reduction Act
The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program was established in 2022 through the Inflation Reduction Act. Congress allocated $837.5 million in direct grants and authorized up to $4 billion in loans to preserve aging affordable housing infrastructure across America.
The program had dual goals: improving energy efficiency and building climate resilience in properties serving low-income residents. Between 2023 and early 2025, projects began taking shape in communities nationwide.
How the Program Worked
The program provided grants and low-interest loans to property owners who agreed to maintain affordable rents for up to 25 years. Eligible upgrades included:
- Energy efficiency improvements (HVAC systems, insulation, windows)
- Climate resilience measures (flood protection, heat mitigation)
- Water conservation systems
- Structural repairs and modernization
Federal funds served as catalytic capital, attracting $4-5 in private investment for every federal dollar spent. Before the DOGE Affordable Housing Program Termination, the program had allocated funding for at least 25,000 units across 42 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
The Termination: How DOGE Shut Down the Housing Program
DOGE’s Role and Controversial Decision
The Department of Government Efficiency was created under the Trump administration with a mandate to reduce government spending. Despite President Trump’s directive to use a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet” in spending cuts, critics argue this termination represents exactly the opposite approach.
Internal HUD documents reviewed by the Associated Press confirm the termination directive came from DOGE. Two anonymous HUD employees spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, expressing concerns that the decision would exacerbate the housing crisis.
How HUD Learned About the Shutdown
HUD received no advance notice from DOGE about the program’s termination. Staff members learned about the decision through internal emails in early March 2025.
No stakeholder consultation occurred. No public comment period was held. No impact assessment was conducted before the decision.
HUD leadership has not responded to multiple requests for comment about the termination or its implications for approved projects.
The DEI Review Methodology
DOGE reviewed program websites and social media, targeting initiatives with terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In a separate but related action, millions of dollars in housing contracts were canceled based on these criteria.
The Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) also lost $30 million in funding on February 27, 2025. This broader pattern suggests political criteria took priority over program effectiveness in DOGE’s review process.
Real Stories: The Human Cost of Termination
Smith Tower Apartments: Seniors Left in Limbo
Smith Tower Apartments in Vancouver, Washington, houses 170 low-income seniors in a building approved for a $10 million grant from the program. The property needs $100 million in total renovations, including critical safety upgrades.
Greg Franks, president of the building’s management company, explained the stakes: “The potential loss seriously jeopardizes our ability to be able to provide an upgrade to the current systems. This work is needed to sustain the livability of this building based on its age, and to keep it viable for another 60 years.”
Without federal funding, the renovation may not proceed. Seniors living there face deteriorating conditions with no clear solution in sight.
Why Developers Can’t Replace Federal Funding
Mike Essian, vice president at American Community Developers, Inc., warned about the cascading effects: “Projects will fail, and these are projects that are already difficult to finance.”
Affordable housing projects require multiple funding sources to work:
- Federal grants (15-20%)
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (30-35%)
- Private loans (25-30%)
- State and local funding (10-15%)
- Equity investment (5-10%)
When one piece disappears, the entire deal collapses. Private investors won’t participate without federal support because affordable housing offers low returns compared to market-rate properties.
Residents Face Common Fears
Across Detroit, Baltimore, and dozens of other cities, residents in affected buildings share similar concerns:
- Failing heating and cooling systems pose safety risks, especially for elderly residents
- Electrical hazards in buildings built 40-60 years ago
- Roof leaks are causing water damage
- Rising energy costs without efficiency upgrades
- Displacement anxiety in tight housing markets
Fixed incomes can’t absorb rent increases if residents are forced to relocate. Yet that’s exactly what many face as buildings deteriorate without promised repairs.
The Legal Battle: Can Lawsuits Reverse the Termination?
Sixty-six fair housing organizations filed a class action lawsuit in March 2025 challenging the DOGE Affordable Housing Program Termination. The lawsuit targets both HUD and DOGE, arguing the terminations violated administrative procedures and congressional intent.
Legal theories include:
- Administrative Procedure Act violations (arbitrary and capricious decisions)
- Lack of a proper notice and comment period
- Violation of congressional appropriations authority
- Potential Impoundment Control Act violations
Some courts have issued preliminary injunctions, temporarily restoring funding in certain cases. This demonstrates that the legal arguments have merit.
However, full legal resolution will likely take 6-18 months. Meanwhile, most projects remain frozen and buildings continue deteriorating.
The Real Cost: Does Cutting Housing Actually Save Money?
The termination’s $1 billion “savings” may cost taxpayers far more in the long run.
If just 10% of the 62,500 residents in affected buildings become homeless, emergency shelter alone would cost $91-137 million annually. Add healthcare costs (unhoused individuals average $10,000+ more annually), lost workforce productivity, and increased demand for social services.
Sarah Saadian, vice president of public policy at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, captured the problem: “If we are losing the homes that are currently affordable and available to households, then we’re losing ground on the crisis. It’s sort of like having a boat with a hole at the bottom.”
Preserving existing affordable housing costs $50,000-150,000 per unit. Building new units costs $250,000-400,000. Every lost affordable unit requires building 1-2 new ones—at far greater expense.
The program’s energy efficiency focus also addressed federal climate goals. Its termination means higher utility costs for residents and continued fossil fuel dependence.
What Residents and Advocates Can Do Now
Verify Your Building’s Status
Contact your property manager immediately. Ask: “Did our building receive Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funding?” Request information about planned renovations and their current status in writing.
Document existing maintenance issues with photographs and written logs. Report problems formally to create an evidence trail.
Know Your Rights and Take Action
Research state and local tenant protection laws. Landlords must maintain safe, livable conditions regardless of funding status. Contact local legal aid organizations if conditions deteriorate.
Join or form tenant associations in your building. Connect with local housing advocacy groups. A collective voice carries more power than individual complaints.
Contact Your Congressional Representatives
Find your representatives at house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. Call and say:
“I’m calling about the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program termination. This affects 25,000 affordable housing units in 42 states. I urge [Representative Name] to support legislation restoring this funding. Congress appropriated this money—DOGE shouldn’t unilaterally cancel it.”
Follow up with written emails. Include your address to confirm you’re a constituent. Share articles about the termination on social media using #SaveAffordableHousing.
The Broader Housing Crisis Context
The DOGE Affordable Housing Program Termination occurs during America’s worst housing crisis in decades:
- 18% increase in homelessness nationwide
- 7+ million affordable housing units shortage
- 11 million households spending over 50% of their income on housing
- Rents rising faster than wages across most markets
The timing couldn’t be worse. When the crisis demands more preservation funding, policy moves in the opposite direction.
Looking Ahead: Can This Be Reversed?
Reversal remains possible through several pathways:
Legal Victory: Courts could rule the termination violated administrative law, and order funding restored. Timeline: 6-18 months.
Legislative Action: Congress could pass bills explicitly protecting or restoring the program. Affordable housing enjoys bipartisan support, making this achievable.
Executive Reversal: Sustained public pressure could prompt DOGE or HUD to reverse course, possibly through a reformed program.
Alternative Funding: Congress could create a new program with similar goals but an updated design.
Strong legal arguments, bipartisan housing support, clear evidence of harm, and historical precedent all make reversal possible. But it requires sustained advocacy and public pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DOGE Affordable Housing Program Termination?
DOGE terminated the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program in March 2025, affecting $1 billion in funding for 25,000 affordable housing units across 42 states.
How many units are affected?
At least 25,000 affordable housing units across 42 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico had received or were approved for funding before termination.
Can the termination be reversed?
Yes, through legal challenges, congressional action, or executive reversal. Sixty-six fair housing organizations have filed lawsuits, and some courts issued preliminary injunctions restoring temporary funding.
What happens to approved projects?
Projects exist in legal limbo. HUD hasn’t clarified whether approved funding will be honored. Most developers have paused work pending resolution.
What can affected residents do?
Contact property managers to verify building status, document maintenance issues, know tenant rights, join advocacy groups, and contact congressional representatives to demand funding restoration.
Conclusion
The DOGE Affordable Housing Program Termination represents a significant setback affecting 25,000 units and thousands of families across 42 states. But the outcome isn’t predetermined.
Legal challenges show merit. Congressional concern is growing. Advocacy infrastructure remains strong. Historical precedent proves that terminated programs can be restored through sustained public pressure.
Housing policy responds to citizen engagement. Every phone call to representatives, every voice raised in advocacy, and every story shared contributes to the pressure needed for policy change.
The fight for housing justice continues—and it starts with your action today.
