Austin Mayor To Discuss Looming HUD Hikes With Seniors

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Austin Mayor Steve Adler is scheduled to host a community gathering on Friday to address the likely impact of proposed federal HUD rent hikes on the city's seniors.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson last month proposed far-reaching changes to federal housing subsidies. Key to those sweeping changes: Tripling rent for the poorest households while easing the ability of housing authorities to impose work requirements for residents of public housing. Carson's proposals are an offshoot of crackdowns aimed at low-income people by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress to restrict access to the safety net and reduce federal assistance levels for those qualifying for public housing.

The proposed rent increases would affect 1.7 million Americans, according to estimates.

In response, Adler will be joined by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Michael Gerber, president and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), in explaining the implications of planned federal actions. The three will speak during HACA Mayfest, an annual day of celebration for seniors and persons with disabilities living in local HUD homes.

The event takes place on Friday, May 11, at noon in the American Bingo Hall, 1919 E. Riverside Dr.

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