Good News for Housing and Homeless Services in Ohio
In an important advocacy win, with meaningful implications for people and animals across Ohio, Congress has passed a government funding bill that includes significant new investments in housing and homelessness programs. This reverses earlier proposals that would have cut critical support. This bipartisan legislation ends the brief government shutdown and provides $77.3 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Fiscal Year 2026, including protections for the Continuum of Care (CoC) program — the backbone of homeless services nationwide.
This is a big win for housing stability, service providers, and vulnerable Ohioans.
What’s Included in the Funding Bill
From a housing and homelessness perspective, this legislation delivers several key wins:
$7.2 billion increase for HUD overall
$34.9 billion for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, enough to renew existing contracts, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition
$4.4 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, an increase over FY 2025
Clear requirements that HUD continue funding CoC grants, preventing major service disruptions
Earlier versions of the budget would have reduced or destabilized these programs. Advocacy made the difference — and it worked.
Protections for Continuum of Care (CoC) Grants
With ongoing litigation and uncertainty around changes to the CoC program, Congress included specific guardrails to protect providers and people experiencing homelessness:
HUD must renew all CoC grants expiring in the first quarter of 2026 for 12 months
A renewal timeline is established for grants expiring later in the year if HUD is unable to issue a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
HUD must issue the FY 2026 CoC NOFO by June 1, 2026, and distribute funds no later than December 1, 2026
At least 60% of CoC funding must be allocated to “Tier 1” projects, including permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing services
These provisions bring stability, predictability, and time for providers to prepare and continue advocating for humane, evidence-based solutions.
Why This Matters to Ohio Animal Advocates
Housing stability is deeply connected to animal welfare. When people experience housing insecurity or homelessness, pets are often at risk of separation, surrender, or abandonment — not because of neglect, but because systems fail to support people and their animals together.
Through OAA’s Housing and Financial Insecurity advocacy program, we advocate for policies and partnerships that keep people and pets together, support shelters and service providers, and recognize animals as family.
This funding win helps create the stability that makes compassionate, humane outcomes possible.
Take Action
We encourage Ohioans to:
Support policies that keep people and pets together by signing our Support Unhoused People and Pets action alert
Visit OAA’s Housing and Financial Insecurity Advocacy page, which addresses the intersection of housing insecurity and animal welfare
Thank the legislators who supported HUD funding and CoC protections
Ohio’s Congressional delegation largely voted along party lines, and this was a complex bill covering multiple budgets. Still, from a housing and homelessness perspective, this outcome deserves recognition and gratitude. We are especially thankful to Rep. Dave Joyce (R–Chagrin Falls), who serves on the House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
We also want to recognize Rep. Mike Turner (R–Dayton) and Rep. Joyce Beatty (D–Columbus) for supporting language that requires the administration to continue funding CoC grants.
We’re also grateful for the leadership and coordination provided by the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the National Low Income Housing Coalition, whose advocacy helped protect these essential programs.
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