By no means is there agreement among economists that the current index overstates inflation, however. Any change in the measuring device could impact local governments and almost everyone whose government benefits are index-linked. If an adjustment that would make the index more accurate can be agreed to, it could help hold down social security and medicare increases and aid in achieving a balanced budget by 2002. Housing a Potential Casualty of Reductions to Achieve a Balanced Budget. It is apparent that the Clinton Administration's expressed priority for budget reductions is likely to mean reduced federal housing and urban program expenditures, one of the discretionary rather than entitlement segments of the federal budget.
Domestic spending is likely to continue to receive the lion's share of reductions.
In most of the affected families, one person works, is in job training, or is enrolled in an educational program. If HUD's other programs had to absorb the section 8 costs this year, cuts of 35 percent would be required in those other programs. This would have a devastating impact on urban areas throughout the country. Food Stamps Cutoff for 100,000 Jobless Adults. These persons have now used up their three months of food stamp eligibility in any three-year period.