Statement by Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, on Dr. Carson’s Confirmation Hearing as HUD Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Dr. Carson has clearly taken the time to begin to understand and come to appreciate the importance of HUD’s programs. Contrary to what he had previously said, I was pleased to hear Dr. Carson state his belief that the federal government has an important role to play in supporting deeply poor households and families. He gave strong support to rental assistance programs, public housing, VASH vouchers, Community Development Block Grants, Choice Neighborhoods, and lead abatement programs, and he recognized the role housing plays as a social determinant of health. He acknowledged that fair housing is the “law of the land” and committed to upholding and implementing the law.

While touting these important programs and agreeing to enforce fair housing, Dr. Carson unfortunately reiterated President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to cut nondefense discretionary spending by 1% annually. Over 84% of HUD’s budget provides direct housing assistance to our nation’s lowest income families, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and the working poor. Given the inflationary increases needed in HUD’s programs, such a reduction could amount to cuts as deep as 30% by 2026, devastating housing programs for the lowest income people. To that end, Dr. Carson’s commitment to advocate for HUD’s programs within the administration was a positive and welcomed one.

Once confirmed, the National Low Income Housing Coalition is committed to working with Dr. Carson to ensure that the lowest income people in America have decent, affordable and accessible homes.

Established in 1974 by Cushing N. Dolbeare, the National Low income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest income in the United States have affordable and decent homes.

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