Three more industry trade groups have voiced their support for the nomination of Dr. Ben Carson to become the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In the aftermath of Dr. Carson’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, the American Land Title Association (ALTA) gave its approval of the retired neurosurgeon’s career switch to chief housing policy strategist.
“As the protectors of property rights, the over 6,000 member companies of the American Land Title Association are encouraged by the opportunities provided by change to explore new measures to promote homeownership,” said Michelle Korsmo, CEO of ALTA. “The nomination of Dr. Ben Carson as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the committee the chance to discuss ways to rejuvenate urban cores and strengthen communities. ALTA and its members look forward to working with Dr. Carson to promote policies that will strengthen the nation’s housing and ensure all consumers looking to purchase a home have access to affordable credit.”
Also providing support what the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Following yesterday’s Senate hearing, 2017 NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald stated that Dr. Carson “is clearly ready to take on the challenges as the next Cabinet secretary at HUD. NAHB looks forward to a quick Senate confirmation of Dr. Carson as our next HUD secretary and to work with him and his new team to ensure that all Americans have access to the housing of their choice, whether they prefer to own or rent.”
Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLICC), praised the nominee’s enthusiasm to grasp the depth of the HUD leadership role.
“Dr. Carson has clearly taken the time to begin to understand and come to appreciate the importance of HUD’s programs,” she said. “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 Yentel lamented that “Dr. Carson unfortunately reiterated President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to cut nondefense discretionary spending by one annually,” which she said would impact HUD’s budget, she expressed confidence that the nominee would be an active fighter for HUD’s programs. “To that end, Dr. Carson’s commitment to advocate for HUD’s programs within the administration was a positive and welcomed one,” she added. “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.”
