Secretary Ben Carson in his own words, discussing the Department of Housing and Urban Development's recently proposed set of reforms to federal housing assistance policies.

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.
FULL STORY: The Daily Signal Interviews Ben Carson

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing
A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads
If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.

Minneapolis Affordable Housing Project Largest in 20 Years
The city opened its first large multifamily affordable housing complex in decades, but a recent court ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 rezoning plan could jeopardize future projects.

NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums
Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.
Urban3
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
National Capital Planning Commission
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.