The Cost of Cuts: How Recent Federal Budget Decisions Are Deepening Food and Housing Insecurity
In 2025, the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has led to sweeping reductions in federal support for essential programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance. While the bill offers tax relief to the wealthiest Americans, it simultaneously dismantles lifelines for millions of vulnerable households. The consequences are stark—and measurable. 
Food Insecurity: A Growing Crisis
Food insecurity in the U.S. is rising sharply. According to the USDA, 13.5% of households (18 million) experienced food insecurity in 2023. Feeding America’s 2025 “Map the Meal Gap” report reveals:
– 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households.
– Child food insecurity reaches nearly 50% in some areas.
– 44% of food-insecure individuals are ineligible for SNAP due to income thresholds.
– The national food budget shortfall is now $32.2 billion.
Housing Insecurity: A Parallel Emergency
Nearly 23 million people live in households spending more than half their income on rent. Cuts to rental assistance programs threaten to displace thousands, especially in high-cost urban and rural areas.
Intersecting Crises: Health, Housing, and Hunger
Medicaid cuts totaling $723 billion compound the crisis. Without access to affordable healthcare, families face mounting medical debt, which often leads to housing instability and worsens food insecurity.
The Strain on Nonprofits
As federal support shrinks, nonprofits are being asked to do more with less. Organizations like Arizona’s Family to the Homeless (AZFH), Feeding America, and Move For Hunger are seeing:
– Increased demand for food, hygiene, and housing support.
– Rising operational costs due to inflation and supply chain challenges.
– Volunteer burnout and staffing shortages.
– Limited funding from grants and donations that cannot keep pace with need.
AZFH does not currently receive any federal or state funding support. The organization operates solely on the generous contributions of businesses, individuals, and non-government grants.
Despite these challenges, AZFH has supported 5,648 individuals and distributed 31,524 pounds of supplies over the past seven months—an effort that required coordination with multiple partners and volunteers. These efforts are heroic but unsustainable without systemic support.
Solutions to Address the Crisis
To reverse the damage and build resilience, a multi-pronged approach is needed:
- Restore and Expand Federal Support
– Reinstate SNAP and housing assistance funding.
– Remove punitive work requirements and eligibility restrictions.
– Increase Medicaid reimbursements to protect rural healthcare access. - Invest in Local Infrastructure
– Fund community pantries, shelters, and mobile outreach programs.
– Support nonprofit capacity-building through grants and technical assistance. - Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships
– Encourage collaboration between governments, nonprofits, and businesses.
– Expand corporate giving and volunteer programs. - Advocate for Policy Change
– Mobilize constituents to contact legislators.
– Support campaigns that promote equity in food, housing, and healthcare. - Empower Communities
– Provide training and resources for grassroots organizing.
– Promote mutual aid networks and community-led solutions.
We Need Your Support: How You Can Help AZFH
To maintain our current level of support and expand our reach, Arizona’s Family to the Homeless (AZFH) needs help from individuals, businesses, and community groups. Here are ways you can make a difference:
– Make a recurring monthly financial contribution
– Donate food, clothing, hygiene items, and other necessities
– Hold a food, clothing, or hygiene drive at your business, school, or place of worship
– Volunteer your time or skills
– Host a fundraiser benefiting AZFH
– Join the AZFH Board or Advisory Council
– Offer professional services (e.g., legal, marketing, logistics, IT)
– Provide transportation or storage support
– Help spread the word on social media and in your networks
– Sponsor laundry services, cooling stations, or mobile outreach events
– Partner with AZFH for corporate giving or employee engagement programs