HUD Secretary Fudge Testimony at House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on President's FY22 Discretionary Funding Request

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge today testified (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czo5ML8fGB0) before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation-Housing and Urban Development on President Biden's Fiscal Year 2022 discretionary funding request (www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fy-2022-discretionary-request/) for HUD. Secretary Fudge's remarks, as prepared for delivery:

To Chairman Price, Ranking Member Diaz-Balart, and the distinguished Members of this Subcommittee-thank you for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the President's Fiscal Year 2022 Discretionary Funding Request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

President Biden has often shared words of wisdom which he learned from his father. Those words are: "Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value."

Well, the Biden-Harris administration has issued a Discretionary Funding Request that sends a strong message about what we value.

It tells the American public that this administration is determined to provide every person with a fair chance to secure a safe, affordable, and dignified place to call home-and to live in a thriving community where opportunity is abundant.

The President's Discretionary Request provides $68.7 billion for HUD during Fiscal Year 2022. This amount represents an increase of $9 billion-or 15 percent-from HUD's enacted funding for Fiscal Year 2021. All told, it would support a wide range of vital public services.

They include taking dramatic steps to address America's affordable housing crisis. It contains a $30.4 billion request for the Housing Choice Voucher Program-which currently helps 2.3 million families with the lowest incomes to find rental housing on the private market. If enacted, this Discretionary Request would provide potentially life-changing assistance for an additional 200,000 households.

In addition, the President's Discretionary Request calls for bold new action to expand our nation's supply of affordable housing. It asks for a $500 million increase in the HOME Investment Partnerships Program-which helps build and rehabilitate affordable rental housing. It further requests $180 million to help develop 2,000 new homes for senior citizens and for people with disabilities.

These commitments represent just part of the President's mission to serve Americans in greatest need. His Discretionary Request calls for a major investment in the effort to end homelessness. If enacted, it will provide $500 million in new funding for HUD's Homeless Assistance Grants-which will help more than 100,000 additional households, including young people and survivors of domestic violence.

Furthermore, the President's Discretionary Request contains: $400 million to eliminate lead paint and other hazards from the homes of families with young children; a $900 million investment to spark greater opportunity on tribal lands; $3.2 billion to perform critical maintenance and repairs that can improve conditions for residents of public housing; and $3.77 billion to help revitalize neighborhoods across our nation through the Community Development Block Grant program.

Finally, the Biden-Harris administration understands that unjust barriers still limit the potential of far too many people of color. That is why this Discretionary Request asks for $85 million to help our nation finally realize the full promise of the Fair Housing Act. This funding would support State and local organizations that conduct fair housing enforcement actions-and advance education and outreach around our nation's fair housing laws.

Over the past 13 months, we've all been reminded about just how important it is to have a stable place to call home. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our Department has helped millions of families weather this crisis-and we will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.

Moving forward, we will face the added responsibility-and the great opportunity-to help our nation build back stronger than ever before. For HUD, that means doing our part to offer every American the chance to live each day with security and with dignity.

If enacted, the President's 2022 Discretionary Funding Request would provide vital support to help realize that vision. HUD looks forward to working with each of you to help make housing-for-all a reality by serving as a responsible steward for the funding entrusted to our Department.

With that, I am happy to answer any questions that you may have.

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