Federal Funding Updates
How Federal Funding Supports Our Community | What’s Happening Now | City Programs Officially Affected by Federal Funding Cuts |Our Commitment to You | What You Can Do: Make Your Voice Heard | Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Long Beach is committed to keeping our community informed about ongoing developments related to the loss, and possible future loss of federal funding and its impact on local programs that the City provides. Recent Executive Orders and policy shifts under the current Presidential Administration have resulted in the loss of federal funding and suggest that federal funding for cities across the country will continue to be reduced, particularly in the form of grants that support local public safety, health and youth services and programs as well as infrastructure and more.
We know how important these programs are to our neighborhoods, our economy and to the many people who rely on them every day. We also know many City employees work hard to deliver these programs to our community, and their employment may be impacted by funding changes beyond our local control.
How Federal Funding Supports Our Community
Federal funding plays a critical role in helping the City of Long Beach deliver services and initiatives that benefit residents and businesses alike. These dollars often come in the form of grants and special allocations and help pay for:
- Parks and Recreation capital improvement projects
- Affordable housing programs
- Public safety and emergency services
- Youth and senior programs
- Environmental and sustainability initiatives
- Transportation and infrastructure projects
- Workforce development and job training
- Public health and social services
- Homeless outreach, shelter and rental assistance programs
- and more
Without this federal funding, many of these programs would not be possible.
More information regarding specific federal programs funded in the City is available in this February 26, 2025 City memo.
What’s Happening Now
From the federal level, certain funding streams for cities have already been reduced or eliminated, and we will likely see more as time goes by. While we do not yet know the full scope of the impact, we are closely monitoring the situation.
If major federal cuts are approved, the City will need to carefully review each affected program. Unfortunately, the City’s General Fund cannot absorb all of the costs associated with these federal grants, especially if cuts are widespread. We will assess the availability of other funding sources, align with City priorities and determine whether a program can continue. This could mean changes to the services we provide, or in some cases, the loss of a program entirely.
City Programs Officially Affected by Federal Funding Cuts
We will update our community about how recent changes in federal funding are beginning to impact services provided by the City of Long Beach. As federal grant programs are reduced or eliminated, the City is facing difficult decisions about how to continue, or in some cases, discontinue programs that serve our residents.
We recognize that changes to these services will have real effects on the lives of the people who rely on them and on the dedicated City employees who help deliver them.
The City does not take these impacts lightly. We are exploring available options, including alternative funding sources and program adjustments, and we remain committed to advocating for the restoration of these vital funds.
As we receive more information and as additional programs are evaluated, we will continue to update this section with links to more information.
Our Commitment to You
We understand how concerning this is. City staff and community members have built many of these programs together, and we’re proud of the impact they’ve had.
We want you to know:
- The City will continue to advocate against harmful federal funding cuts, especially those that affect our most vulnerable residents.
- The City will provide support to our employees who may face loss of funding for their positions, by connecting them with other possible job opportunities within the City that align with their current position and/or skillset.
- We will be transparent about what we know and what we’re doing in response.
- This webpage will be updated as we receive more information.
What You Can Do: Make Your Voice Heard
You don’t have to be an elected official to make a difference. Community voices matter. Here are ways you can help:
- Contact Your Federal Representatives: Let them know how important these programs are to you and your neighbors. You can find your representatives at:
- Contact Your California State Legislative Representatives: State leaders can also play a role in advocating for continued federal support and helping fill local funding gaps.
- Share Your Story: If a City program has helped you or your family, consider sharing your experience with your representatives. Personal stories can be powerful tools for advocacy.
- Stay Informed and Spread the Word: Follow City updates on this website, on our social media channels @longbeachcity, sign up for the Go Long Beach newsletter and share accurate information with others in your network.
We’re in This Together
While we face uncertainty ahead, our commitment to serving the community remains strong. We appreciate your understanding, your voice and your continued engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Federal Funding and City Services
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What’s happening with federal funding right now?
The current Presidential Administration is proposing changes that could significantly reduce or eliminate some types of federal funding for cities across the country. These changes are still being debated in congress, but they may affect grants and financial programs that help cities like ours deliver vital services to the community.
We are watching these developments closely and preparing for the possibility that we may receive less funding from the federal government in the future.
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What kind of City programs could be affected?
Federal funding plays a critical role in helping the City of Long Beach deliver services and initiatives that benefit residents and businesses alike. These dollars often come in the form of grants and special allocations and help pay for:
- Parks and Recreation capital improvement projects
- Affordable housing programs
- Public safety and emergency services
- Youth and senior programs
- Environmental and sustainability initiatives
- Transportation and infrastructure projects
- Workforce development and job training
- Public health and social services
- Homeless outreach, shelter and rental assistance programs
- and more
Without this federal funding, many of these programs would not be possible.
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What is a Presidential Executive Order, and how does it affect us?
A Presidential Executive Order (EO) is a directive from the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. While it is not a law passed by Congress, it can still have significant impacts on federal policy and funding priorities.
Executive Orders can:
- Change how federal departments distribute funding
- Redirect resources away from certain programs
- Create new eligibility rules for grants
Congress controls the President’s authority as it relates to impacting grants and spending. Executive Orders can be challenged in court, especially if they are seen as overstepping the legal authority given to the President by congress or causing harm. Many states (including California) have already filed lawsuits arguing that changes proposed by Executive Orders are illegal in that they are not consistent with the spending laws passed by congress. Executive Orders may also be reversed or modified by future administrations or Congressional actions.
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How does the City receive federal funding?
Federal funds can reach the City in two ways:
- Direct Funding:
Some grants come straight from federal agencies like HUD (Housing and Urban Development), FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), or the Department of Transportation. - Pass-Through Funding:
Other grants come indirectly, through state or county agencies that receive the funding first and then distribute it to cities. This means changes at the state or county level, even if not federal, can still affect how much funding the City ultimately receives.
In both cases, a change in policy at the federal level may reduce, delay or eliminate the funds we rely on.
- Direct Funding:
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Can the City just cover the costs if federal funds are cut?
Unfortunately, no. The City’s General Fund, which covers core local services like public safety and street maintenance, is already stretched to meet everyday needs. If multiple large federal grants are cut, there is no easy way to absorb those costs without making difficult choices, such as reducing or eliminating programs, postponing projects or scaling back services.
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How will the City decide what happens to programs that lose funding?
As funding cuts become a reality, the City will evaluate each program to determine:
- Whether it can continue with other funding sources
- How many people or employees would be affected
- How it aligns with current City priorities and legal obligations
Every decision will be made carefully and thoughtfully.
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Do the federal funding cuts, or possible future cuts, only affect City governments?
Federal funding cuts can affect any organization that receives federal funding. That may include non-profit organizations who provide direct resources to the community. The City will also review these situations to see if there is any opportunity for the City to provide additional resources to the community to fill the gap. However, with the City itself being affected by federal funding loss, those opportunities will be more difficult to come by. Unfortunately, this may result in less services and important programs being available to our community.
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What is the City doing about this?
The City is actively:
- Monitoring the situation closely as it evolves
- Communicating with state and federal partners to stay informed
- Advocating against harmful funding cuts to protect our community and employees
We are committed to being transparent and keeping the public informed along the way.
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How can I help?
There are several ways you can make your voice heard and support efforts to protect local services:
- Contact your federal and state representatives and tell them how important City programs are to you. Find them here:
- Share your story. If a City program has helped you, tell that story, on social media or in a letter to a lawmaker.
- Stay informed by following updates on this website, on our social media channels at @longbeachcity and through our Go Long Beach Newsletter.
- Support local programs however you can, by volunteering, spreading awareness or staying engaged in community discussions.
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Where can I get updates?
- This webpage will be updated regularly with new information.
- Follow us on social media at @longbeachcity
- Sign up for our Go Long Beach Newsletter
