Hudson Hosts HUD Secretary Ben Carson in Kannapolis, Discusses Affordable Housing, Opportunity Zones, COVID-19 Relief
August 27, 2020
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – At the invitation of U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben 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.
For affordable housing, Rep. Hudson also discussed H.R. 3077, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which he cosponsored 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."
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Issues:Economy and Jobs