Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson in Concord and Kannapolis

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (WBTV) - US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson visited Kannapolis and Concord on Thursday. US Representative Richard Hudson (R-08) hosted the visit.

Dr. Carson was in Kannapolis today for a roundtable discussion with local leaders from Kannapolis, Concord and the surrounding region about affordable housing priorities, Opportunity Zones, and COVID-19 relief efforts underway for housing.

"I'm focused on finding solutions to provide affordable housing, economic investment, and more jobs for our community," said Rep. Hudson. "Through measures like Opportunity Zones and the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, I'm proud of the progress made by working with President Trump which we highlighted today in Kannapolis. I appreciate Secretary Carson for coming to our community and look forward to working together to continue to improve our economy and expand opportunities for all Americans."

At the event, Rep. Hudson and Secretary Carson discussed how Opportunity Zones are helping encourage investments in neighborhoods that need it most. Created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Opportunity Zones incentivize economic growth in economically distressed communities. The program is expected to spur $100 billion in investments in areas throughout the country, including 252 approved Opportunity Zones in North Carolina. North Carolina's 8th District has 18 Opportunity Zones, including Kannapolis, which has used the program to encourage growth.

Downtown Kannapolis is one of the first designated Opportunity Zones in the United States. This is a federal designation that provides tax credits to private investors who invest in properties and urban areas which need to be revitalized. The Opportunity Zone designation has spurred the redevelopment and purchase of downtown properties by developers.

"We were able to personally show Secretary Carson and Congressman Hudson the work we have done in our Opportunity Zone which is the West Avenue Streetscape, the Atrium Health Ballpark and the mixed-use development, VIDA, which is under construction," commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

Affordable housing was a priority topic during the roundtable. Leadership from the Cities of Kannapolis and Concord, Habitat for Humanity, Cooperative Christian Ministry, Hope Haven, and Opportunity House were able to brief Dr. Carson and Rep. Hudson on the work that has been done to encourage affordable housing in the county. Projects highlighted included the newly opened Prosperity Ridge Apartments for seniors, Habitat for Humanity's "Tiny Houses" in the Carver neighborhood – all in Kannapolis; infrastructure improvements and Habitat for Humanity houses in Concord.

For affordable housing, Rep. Hudson also discussed H.R. 3077, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which he cosponsored. Hudson says the goal is to modernize the low-income housing tax credit by making it more flexible and easier to use so it can directly benefit communities.

Rep. Hudson also thanked President Donald Trump's administration for making affordable housing a priority through the White House Council of Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing. Secretary Carson leads the council which was created by an executive order signed by President Trump to engage with state, local and tribal leaders across the country to identify and remove obstacles that impede production of affordable homes. Additionally, Secretary Carson is administering $12 billion in relief aid provided by the CARES Act to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Housing prices have risen to the level that there are many in the workforce who maintain a job, but still cannot afford a place to call home," said Secretary Carson. "The Trump administration has been working hard to bring solutions to this problem. Today, I'm pleased to bring together leaders of innovation and deregulation in North Carolina's housing market, and I thank Representative Hudson for his commitment to affordable housing for all."

Dr. Carson and Representative Hudson also visited the Cabarrus Habitat for Humanity site in Concord and spoke with two new homeowners who are now in the process is helping to build their homes.

Carson is a retired neurosurgeon and has served in his position with the Trump administration since 2017. Along with being in Kannapolis on Thursday, Carson is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention.