In an unexpected move on February 12, a mental health training provider contracted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cancelled all upcoming mental health first aid (MHFA) trainings for Service Coordinators in HUD-assisted properties.

In a message to Service Coordinators sent on February 12, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing stated that “all MHFA HUD-sponsored courses have been canceled at this time.” No reason was given, and no clarity was provided on whether the classes will be resumed at a later date.

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges, equipping Service Coordinators in affordable housing communities to identify and deescalate mental health-related situations and refer individuals to resources for support. The cancellation comes on the heels of movement by the White House to review and cancel contracts and grant funds that are not aligned with presidential priorities, including related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

LeadingAge strongly supports the availability of Mental Health First Aid training for affordable housing staff and had worked with HUD in 2023 and 2024 to develop and launch a two-year training initiative for Service Coordinators.

A LeadingAge member who had been registered for the critical training expressed their dismay and disappointment over the cancellation, which will negatively impact both staff and residents at housing communities serving older adults with extremely low incomes.

According to LeadingAge’s 2024 year-end affordable housing survey, Service Coordinators at roughly half of responding organizations had taken the training or planned to take it soon. For the second year in a row, survey respondents ranked resident mental health as their top concern for the first quarter of 2025.

LeadingAge urges the agency to restore the trainings as soon as possible and to expand the trainings to additional housing professionals, including property managers.