Continuing Resolution Averts Shutdown

In mid-March, Congress passed H.R. 1968, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Extension Act, which President Trump signed into law, stopping a potential government shutdown. Funding will be maintained at current levels for most programs through the end of September 2025, although Trump administration officials will have the opportunity to issue new guidance directing how some discretionary funds will be spent.

Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) funds are level-funded in this package, and funding is available for a third round of the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) under CBDG. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will have some discretion on whether and how to spend PRO funds and APA will be urging them to move forward with a new round of grants. Cuts were made to earmarks and the homelessness assistance fund and given uncertainties associated with other Trump administration actions, APA will work to make sure that HUD indeed spends the money allocated by Congress.

Congress will now have to turn its attention to funding bills for the next fiscal year that begins in October. This is expected to be a contentious debate, particularly given staffing reductions and new guidance affecting existing grant programs.