41
ยป VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM
THE QUESTION
OF DACA
MORTGAGE
RECIPIENTS
e United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary
Benjamin Carson appeared before the House
Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee
on Transportation, and Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies as sole
witness in a hearing to present HUD's budget
and answer questions on its initiatives.
In his opening statement, Secretary
Carson spoke on the department's plan for
homelessness, healthy homes, and rental
assistance. According to Carson, HUD is
seeking $44.1 billion, an increase of 7% over last
year's request.
"In short, this budget will support HUD's
combined efforts to provide safe, decent, and
affordable housing for the American people,
while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars,"
Carson said.
HUD's FY 2020 budget includes a
request for $290 million for the Department's
Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy
Homes. Carson noted that more than 20
million homes still contain lead-based paint,
and added that HUD is seeking to "overhaul
the inspection process that the Department has
been using for more than 20 years."
"As a doctor myself, it pained me that after
treating a young child, they returned to a home
that was not healthy," Carson said. "Quite
simply, you cannot be healthy if your home is
sick."
During the hearing, Carson was questioned
by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-California) on
whether Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals Act (DACA) recipients are eligible for
FHA-backed loans.
Aguilar asked Carson, "To your knowledge,
are DACA recipients eligible for FHA-backed
loans, and has HUD made any changes to
existing policy or interpretations?."
"No one was aware of any changes that had
been made to the policy whatsoever. I'm sure
we have plenty of DACA recipients who have
FHA-backed loans," Carson responded.
Aguilar then asked Carson if HUD had
changed any policy that was not yet in writing.
"I have instructed everyone to follow
the laws of the United States, with regard
to DACA, with regard to anyone who is an
immigrant or potential immigrant to this
country," Carson answered. "As long as you
continue to follow the laws, you will have my
approval."
