U.S. Senator Tina Smith called on Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Ben Carson to scrap a proposal that would raise rent and impose strict requirements on 72,400 Minnesota households, and millions more across the country.
After Secretary Carson released his plan that would hurt millions living in federal housing, Sen. Smith called on him on Tuesday to scrap these efforts and instead work to improve access to affordable, stable housing for Minnesotans and people across the nation.
“If enacted, this proposal would leave even more low income people without stable homes, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and children,” wrote Sen. Smith. “Nationally, 4.1 million households would be affected, 72,400 in Minnesota alone, increasing average annual rent by $780.
“Research has shown that a lack of an affordable, stable place to live makes it harder to find employment, maintain financial stability, succeed in school, and sustain healthy living. Under current budget levels there is already a lack of funding to address the shortage of affordable housing in this country. Your proposal would only exacerbate an already troublesome situation. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and work to improve access to affordable, stable housing for low income people.”
You can read a full copy of her letter to Secretary Carson here or below.
May 1, 2018
The Honorable Ben Carson
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I write today regarding your proposal to raise rent and impose strict work requirements for low income Americans receiving federal housing subsidies. If enacted, this proposal would leave even more low income people without stable homes, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and children. Nationally, 4.1 million households would be affected, 72,400 in Minnesota alone, increasing average annual rent by $780.
Research has shown that a lack of an affordable, stable place to live makes it harder to find employment, maintain financial stability, succeed in school, and sustain healthy living. Under current budget levels there is already a lack of funding to address the shortage of affordable housing in this country. Your proposal would only exacerbate an already troublesome situation. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and work to improve access to affordable, stable housing for low income people.
Sincerely,
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