Story Created: Nov 5, 2010 at 7:21 PM PST

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara honored 7 locals Friday night who have completed the organization’s family Self-Sufficiency Program. It’s an initiative designed to help families receiving housing assistance and related government subsidies to a more independent lifestyle, free of government assistance.

To date, more than 200 people have graduated from the program and 41 are home owners. But now that a shift of power in Washington is taking place, funding for this local program may eventually be at stake, not to mention others like it.

Congressional Republicans are already asserting their newfound political strength, vowing to seek billions in Federal spending cuts that could possibly impact future family self-sufficiency grads.

Before leaving on a ten -day trip to Asia, President Obama said he’ll meet with congressional leaders from both parties upon his return.

Watch KEY News tonight at 11 for a complete, live report.