Provides status of critical HUD programs that support seniors, healthcare access, and housing supply, including billions in community development projects halted
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner delivered an update to the American people on the status of vital HUD programs during the Left’s shutdown:
“For nearly one month, the Left has held our government hostage. Rather than ending this shutdown and putting our government back to work for the American people, they continue to shamelessly exploit Americans’ pain for political gain,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. ““At some point, public housing authorities, or PHAs, will run out of resources to house and support vulnerable Americans.”
“HUD is keeping critical services online for the more than four million American families that depend on HUD assistance to keep a roof over their heads. Each day the shutdown drags on, the department’s challenges grow, threatening our ability to serve our nation’s most vulnerable neighbors.”
Read the highlights below or watch the video HERE.
Background:
- Healthcare Financing: New HUD-backed loans for healthcare projects are on hold, limiting healthcare access. HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can no longer work on new insurance applications for healthcare projects totaling almost $2 billion in mortgages to support more than 12,800 beds and care units for needy Americans in care facilities across more than 30 states.
- Seniors: All endorsements of FHA-supported reverse mortgage loans are suspended, creating a backlog that grows by approximately 60 more transactions each business day. This delay has the most immediate impact on seniors, who cannot access funds against their mortgage for healthcare, daily living, or to age in place.
- Health and Safety: The repair of over 10,000 homes that could be made safe and healthy through HUD’s Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program is stalled, directly exposing young children and residents to health hazards.
- Tribal Communities: HUD’s Section 184 Housing Program, which helps Native American communities access affordable housing, is halted. HUD can no longer guarantee new loans for tribal communities, which play a crucial role in promoting Native American homeownership.
- Public Housing: Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) will eventually run out of resources to house and support vulnerable Americans, resulting in reduced services for families in need, including delayed maintenance on buildings during winter months and reduced safety measures leading to increased crime.