Secretary Carson Makes the Case for Public Housing Rent Increases

The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently proposed a large increase in the amount of rent that would be paid by people receiving assistance for public housing. In a recent interview, with the Daily Signal, a media mouthpiece for the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, HUD Secretary Ben Carson explains the reasoning behind the proposal and other reforms and programs he has sought for HUD since taking office a year and a half ago.

Here's a breakdown of the subject matter covered in the interview:

• 0:00 - 1:20 – Staffing shortfalls and need for fiscal reform at HUD.
• 1:20 - 2:37 – Proposed changes to assistance for public housing.
• 2:37 - 4:33 – Discussion of budget concerns versus political philosophy in driving policy changes at HUD.
• 4:33 - 5:56 – Carson lists his proposed reforms to achieve the goals of his administration. This section includes a brief mention of work requirements.
• 5:56 - 6:23 – What's Carson's larger goal for public housing, relative to larger questions about welfare reform?
• 6:23 - 7:58 – Discussion of Secretary Carson's role in the Trump Administration.
• 7:58 - 8:23 – Discussion about President Trump's leadership.
• 8:23 - Conclusion – Question about Kanye West. Secretary Carson discusses race and politics.

The key quote provided by Secretary Carson regarding the thinking behind the proposed changes: "The federal government has created a system that causes people not to necessarily want to work. If they make more money, because if they make more money…their rent goes up or they may no longer be eligible for their apartment."

According to his own words in the interview, Secretary Carson views the changes as a way to make sure that the federal government is providing incentives to move up the economic ladder, without then "pulling the rug out from under them," and making sure people don't elect to receive aid instead of work.