WASHINGTON - Congressman John W. Olver (MA-01) responded today to remarks made over the weekend regarding the future of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“I’m appalled that Mitt Romney is suggesting that the Department of Housing and Urban Development ‘might not be around later’ if he becomes president," said Congressman Olver.
“Cutting or eliminating HUD, which currently supports 3 million housing units across America, would do immeasurable harm to the families and seniors who rely on the department for access to safe, affordable housing and it would cripple the private companies that operate this housing. Furthermore, given the invaluable role FHA has played in preventing the total collapse of the US Housing market, these comments seem both ill-considered and irresponsible."
Olver went on to say that, “the Department of Housing and Urban Development is not an expendable agency which can be tossed aside in the name of budget cuts. As the agency charged with helping families facing foreclosure, providing housing security to families experiencing economic insecurity, and making capital investments in housing infrastructure that creates jobs, HUD is as important today as it has ever been. We ought to be giving it our full support, not eliminating it."
Congressman Olver currently serves as the Ranking Member and senior Democrat on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
