‘It’s An Outrage’: French Hill Claims HUD Is Unable To Perform ‘Even The Most Basic Functions’

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During a House Financial Services Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Rep. French Hill (R-AR) spoke about issues within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Transcript

00:00The chair now recognizes the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Hill, for one minute.

00:05I want to thank the acting inspector general for appearing before us today.

00:08I want to thank subcommittee chair Muser for holding this hearing.

00:11HUD's an important mission, providing safe and affordable housing to Americans.

00:18Unfortunately, over the years, in my view, the agency has shown time and time again

00:21they're unable to perform even the most basic functions.

00:25The agency continually fails to hold local public housing authorities responsible for not providing safe housing.

00:33For example, in my hometown in Little Rock, the Little Rock Housing Authority has allowed the residents of one complex

00:39to live in unsafe conditions without electricity while the owners of the complex collect utility payments.

00:46It's an outrage.

00:48Additionally, the problems in Little Rock Housing Authority included unauthorized transfers of funds,

00:52deceased citizens receiving housing vouchers, and over $700,000 in CARES Act funds unaccounted for, just to name a few.

01:02These issues are not limited to one public housing agency.

01:05This is a rampant nationwide issue that must be addressed, and HUD must be able to exercise appropriate oversight of its programs

01:14or else billions of dollars of taxpayer resources will continue to be at risk of fraud and improper payments.

01:20And I look forward to our hearing today.

01:23You'll be back.

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