DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds toured Plymouth Place in Des Moines Tuesday morning as part of HUD's Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program.
Plymouth Place is a facility that provides supportive housing for the low-income seniors.
HUD's Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program "helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly," according to a release.
“As Chair of the White House Council on Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing, it’s a pleasure to visit Plymouth Place, a facility focused on providing affordable housing options for some of our Nation’s most vulnerable.” said Carson.
“Amid this unprecedented national pandemic, it is more important than ever that America’s low-income seniors have the peace of mind that a safe and stable place to live provides.”
The secretary said he's hopeful more help will be coming for Americans who can't afford their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented an eviction moratorium to protect renters impacted by the pandemic through the end of the year.
This comes after Congress failed to pass another coronavirus relief package.
"We fully recognize that in the case of most people, this is something that appeared on their doorstep through no fault of their own," Carson said. "They've been doing what they're supposed to be doing all along and then all of a sudden they've got this insoluble problem."
Carson said he is hopeful that Congress will pass another relief package after the 2020 elections, but said he would like to see something sooner.
“Through strong collaboration at the state, local and federal level we are supporting affordable housing initiatives that are upholding Iowa’s high quality of life and vibrant workforce,” said Reynolds.
“I sincerely appreciate Secretary Carson coming today to discuss the positive outcomes of the Trump Administration’s work in this area. I also want to thank Plymouth Place for hosting us and for their continued commitment to affordable housing across the state of Iowa.”
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