Action Alert: Protect Federal Funding for Housing

What’s Happening?

Current federal funding levels for the Section 8 program (from the 2025 federal Continuing Resolution budget passed in March) are insufficient to allow Public Housing Authorities like THA to continue operating at current levels. Even with anomalies (additional funds) added to both the tenant-based rental assistance accounts and project-based rental assistant account, funding remains insufficient to fund Housing Choice Vouchers at their current levels in Tulsa.

The President’s proposed 2026 budget includes devastating cuts to Section 8, Public Housing and Project-Based Rental Assistance, decreasing funding by 43% (more than $26 billion).

Who Does the Section 8 Program Help?

Tulsa Housing Authority’s Section 8 voucher program supports:

• Over 10,000 Tulsans
  • 48% children
  • 45% disability
  • 53% SSI/SS primary source of income
• 8,883 Tulsans living in Housing Choice Voucher properties
• 1,172 Tulsans living in Project-Based Voucher THA properties

What Does This Mean for Tulsa?

The 2025 federal budget Continuing Resolution will result in the loss of over 800 Housing Choice Vouchers from Tulsa Housing Authority’s Section 8 program. This stands to impact over 2,000 Tulsans who will no longer be able to access this much-needed rental assistance. Note: No subsidy will be removed from those who currently use a housing voucher; this loss will occur through standard voucher attrition. Vouchers that would normally be reinstated into the program after they are no longer in use by an existing voucher holder will not be reinstated to the program. This issue will compound year-over-year as funding for Section 8 is based on the prior year’s spending.

Additionally, the loss of these vouchers will result in approximately $7,360,000 in rent subsidy lost for Tulsa landlords.

The President’s proposed 2026 budget would lead to even graver consequences, decimating housing programs that are needed now more than ever.

What Can You Do to Help?

• Contact your state and federal legislators (find state legislator contact info here and federal legislator contact info here) and tell them:
  • With homelessness on the rise, rent increases outpacing pay, and increased economic hardship on the horizon, now is the time to EXPAND federal investments in housing programs, not SLASH them.
  • The 2025 budget and the President’s proposed 2026 budget will:
    • Increase homelessness
    • Hurt local landlords that rely on Section 8
    • Exhaust our social service providers, already working at capacity
• Share your story – If housing programs have helped you our someone you know, speak out! Your voice and experience matter!
• Spread the word – Share THA’s social media posts and talk with your friends and neighbors about the issue. The more people who speak up, the more impact we can have. When sharing on social media use the hashtag #KeepTulsaHoused.
• Stay informed – Follow Tulsa Housing Authority for updates and ways to take action.