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Calling on Congress to reject the proposal from HUD Secretary Ben Carson, which would triple the minimum rent cost for individuals in public housing, eliminate deductions for medical and childcare costs, and allow public housing agencies and property owners to impose work requirements, impacting 4.7 million families relying on federal housing assistance.
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WHEREAS, On April 25, 2018, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson proposed far-reaching changes to federal housing subsidies, such as tripling rent for the poorest households and making it easier for housing authorities to impose work requirements; and
WHEREAS, The initiative would raise the rent for tenants in subsidized housing to 35 percent of gross income (or 35 percent of their earnings working 15 hours a week at the federal minimum wage), up from the current standard of 30 percent of adjusted income. About half of the 4.7 million families receiving housing benefits would be affected according to HUD officials; and
WHEREAS, The cap on rent for the poorest families would rise to about $150 a month - three times higher than the existing $50 ceiling. About 712,000 households would see their monthly rents rise to $150 according to HUD officials; and
WHEREAS, HUD also wants to scrap rules allowing deductions for medical and child-care costs when determining rent. This means it will determine rent by gross income, not net income, so high costs related to healthcare or childcare would no longer count as factors; and
WHEREAS, Carson's proposed bill would also allow public housing authorities to impose work requirements. Currently, only 15 out of 3,100 housing authorities across the country require some sort of work or job training in return for benefits, according to HUD officials; and
WHEREAS, According to Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, "Work requirements do not create the jobs and opportunities needed to lift people o...
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