Section 8 cuts could impact thousands in Tulsa as federal rental assistance faces major overhaul

A proposal to cut millions in federal rental assistance was unveiled in the Trump administration’s latest budget plan for fiscal year 2026.

Sweeping Changes to Section 8 and Voucher Programs

The White House has labeled the current rental assistance system “dysfunctional” and is calling for the elimination of Section 8 and other housing voucher programs. The proposed plan would slash federal rental aid by 40%, redirecting that funding to individual states. States would then be responsible for designing their own rental assistance programs tailored to local needs and preferences.

Another major change includes placing a two-year cap on rental assistance for able-bodied adults.

Cuts Come Amid Record Housing Instability

The proposed reductions come at a time when housing insecurity is on the rise. Nearly half of U.S. renters are considered cost-burdened—meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing—while homelessness is at a record high, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Next Steps: Congressional Review

It’s important to note that the president’s budget is only a recommendation. Congress holds the power of the purse and will ultimately determine spending levels. Still, lawmakers are facing increasing pressure to reduce what they view as “unnecessary spending,” and social safety net programs like healthcare, food aid, and housing are all on the chopping block.

Q&A with Aaron Darden, CEO of the Tulsa Housing Authority

Q: What is the Housing Choice Voucher program?

"Those are section eight vouchers that an individual can take to a private landlord, who has a house or an apartment anywhere in the city, and use that to help subsidize their rent."

Q: Where does the funding for these programs come from?

"The subsidy comes from HUD funding (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) is what allows us to have income-based programs, both the voucher program and our properties as well. That funding is what's in jeopardy right."

Q: What is the immediate response to the potential federal funding cuts?

"We’re really just sounding the alarm that there's potential for critical services related to affordable housing, and the subsidies could be impacted. We are letting everyone who will listen know that these programs are desperately needed. Any cut to these, you know, critical housing programs would be devastating for a lot of families, not just here in Tulsa, but throughout the state."

Q: How much money is used to fund these programs now?

"For the Section 8 voucher program, we are at about $50 million a year to support that, and that's going to get us anywhere between 4000 and 4500 vouchers."

Q: How many people do these programs support?

"Currently, our Housing Choice voucher program is utilizing 3,600 vouchers, which is equating to a little over 8,000 individuals."

Section 8 Voucher Program Stats:

1. The Program:
2. 3,600+ Current Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers utilized in Tulsa
3. 366 Section 8-Project-Based voucher units at THA properties
4. 8,883 Tulsans living in Housing Choice voucher properties 
5. 1,172 Tulsans living in Project-Based Voucher THA properties
6. 10,055 Tulsans in total
7. 48% children
8. 45% with a disability
9. 53% SSI/SS is primary source of income
10. $12,917 avg voucher participant income
11. The Problem:
12. 835 Projected Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers permanently lost in 2024-25
13. 2,004 approx. # of Tulsans impacted
14. $7.3 million projected Housing Choice Voucher rent subsidy lost for Tulsa landlords