HUD SECRETARY FUDGE REMARKS AT WHITE HOUSE PRESS BRIEFING ON AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND HOUSING

Video of Secretary Fudge's remarks is available here (https://youtu.be/Jio7BTVURv4?t=69).

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge today delivered the following remarks at the White House press briefing on the American Rescue Plan and housing:

Jen, thanks for inviting me to speak about the importance of the American Rescue Plan as it relates to the urgent housing needs facing our nation today.

What a way to complete my very first week as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

At HUD, we know firsthand the severe impact of COVID-19 on our nation's housing crisis.

HUD staff in every region of the country have worked tirelessly to assist grantees and recipients of HUD assistance in their response to the pandemic.

We've helped housing owners, housing authorities, and communities provide additional rental assistance and support new efforts to eradicate homelessness.

We've extended the Federal Housing Administration's foreclosure and eviction moratoriums until June 30th to support the immediate and ongoing needs of homeowners.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, HUD is making greater efforts to keep Americans safe from COVID-19.

We're strengthening partnerships between recipients of HUD assistance and public health agencies and health care providers.

Many of the people living in federally-assisted housing have risk factors that make them particularly vulnerable to COVID.

These factors include disability, race, and low-income, along with racial and ethnic disparities in access to response, care, and treatment.

We're making sure that federal, state, and local efforts to reach those most at-risk of COVID are linking those efforts to people living in housing HUD supports.

The American Rescue Plan is critical to our success in these efforts.

Some of you may know that my last vote as a Member of Congress was for the American Rescue Plan.

I was proud to vote for this historic legislation to get help to the American people during this moment of great challenge.

I thank President Biden for the leadership that has gotten us to this point.

The American people can be confident that help is here.

The President has described the American Rescue Plan as "shots in arms and money in pockets."

I would add, as it relates to housing, the American Rescue Plan keeps people housed and brings people home.

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