From DC: HUD Funding Cuts, Fair Lending Rollbacks, 2026 Medicare Premiums, Public Charge Updates, and more

November 21, 2025

From DC is Justice in Aging's weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.

Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:

HUD Seeks to Slash Homelessness Funding for Permanent Housing

Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its proposal to slash funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) in its Continuum of Care (CoC) homeless assistance program. PSH provides long-term rental assistance with supportive services for people with disabilities. Older adults age 55 and over comprise 40% of PSH residents.

HUD’s proposal seeks to radically undermine the CoC program, reducing funding for permanent housing from 87% to 30% of CoC funds. These drastic cuts would put approximately 170,000 people at risk of losing their housing and services. Under new criteria, HUD also aims to prioritize funding projects in jurisdictions that criminalize homelessness and use measures such as involuntary commitment against people who are unhoused.

Learn more about the importance of PSH and HUD homeless assistance for older adults, and urge Congress to protect PSH and CoC funding.

The Senate Special Committee on Aging will soon hold a hearing on the vital role of community living for older adults and people with disabilities. The hearing will highlight programs such as Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and Centers for Independent Living (CILs), which make it possible for individuals to remain in their homes, pursue education or employment, and stay connected to family and friends.

At a time when Medicaid cuts threaten these supports, it is critical for lawmakers to hear directly from the people who rely on them. Without HCBS and other programs, many risk being forced into costly institutions instead of living independently in their communities.

Personal stories from individuals and their families show why these services are more than programs—they are lifelines that protect dignity, independence, and the right to choose where and how to live. To submit a story for the hearing, email it to hcbs@aging.senate.gov as a Word or PDF attachment by close of business Monday, December 8. Please note that submissions will be added to the congressional record as part of the hearing.

CFPB Proposes to Eliminate Fair Lending Protections Against Discrimination on the Basis of Age and Other Identities

Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a proposed rule that would dismantle fair lending protections under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), harming older adults and others.

The proposal seeks to eliminate disparate impact from the statute, a legal concept that prohibits discriminatory effects of a facially neutral policy or practice. The proposal would also allow geographic targeting in lending decisions, which has historically led to redlining, and restrict the scope of “special purpose credit programs” intended to assist underserved groups.

If adopted, this rule could permit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, or other factors in mortgages, credit cards, car loans, and other consumer lending decisions, making it harder for older adults and other people from marginalized communities to access the credit they need for economic security.

The National Consumer Law Center has created a template comment and web submission form. Unique comments describing the impact on older adults and others help fight back against the proposed rule. Comments are due December 15, 2025.

2026 Medicare Premiums Announced

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2026 premium, deductible, and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Part A and Part B. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Part B standard monthly premium will be $202.90, an increase of $17.90 from 2025.

The Part B deductible will be $283, a $26 increase from 2025. The 2026 Part A inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,736. Additional information, including Part A cost sharing amounts for extended hospital and skilled nursing facility stays and premiums for individuals who do not qualify for free Part A, is available in this CMS fact sheet.

Individuals with limited incomes and resources who qualify for the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can get help with these and other Medicare costs. Learn more in Justice in Aging’s issue brief about opportunities for states to make it easier to enroll in MSPs, and get tips for assisting low-income older adults with their Medicare coverage decisions in our 2026 Medicare and Marketplace Open Enrollment guide.

Proposed Changes to Immigration Public Charge Rule

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed significant changes to the public charge policy. The proposed rule would rescind the 2022 Biden Administration Public Charge rule and harm older immigrants as well as older adults and people with disabilities who rely on immigrant caregivers.

The National Immigration Law Center has created an FAQ, Public Charge: What Advocates Need to Know About the November 2025 Proposed Rule. Justice in Aging is working with partners to analyze and fight the rule and will provide updates with more information about commenting by the December 19^th deadline.