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Carson plan would raise rent for millions in public housing Posted Apr 25, 2018 at 11:31 AM Updated Apr 25, 2018 at 1:07 PM Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson talks to reporters at the Downtown Women’s Center Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. Carson visited the center to discuss homelessness. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ▲ Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson talks to reporters at the Downtown Women’s Center Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. Carson visited the center to discuss homelessness. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ▲ --> WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of families living in federally subsidized public housing would pay more for rent under a proposal unveiled Wednesday by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. The proposal would have to be approved by Congress, where it could touch off a debate over how best to support some of the country's poorest and most vulnerable families. Democrats will likely put up fierce resistance and some members of the Republican majority will be reluctant to embrace it ahead of midterm elections in the fall. Dubbed the Make Affordable Housing Work Act, the plan would raise the rent paid by public housing residents to 35 percent from 30 percent of household income and eliminate all deductions that could lower that number. These rents would now be evaluated every three years instead of annually. Elderly and disabled tenants, who constitute more than half of the 4.7 million public housing families, would be exempted. Carson said the changes are necessary to bring more money into the system and revamp an antiquated model. "The way we calculate the level of assistance to our families is archaic and has perverse consequences, like discouraging these residents from earning more income," Carson said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It's clear from a budget perspective and from a human standpoint that this is not sustainable." But tenants' rights advocates are already up in arms. Jack Cooper, executive director of the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants, called the proposal "a war on low-income people." Cooper said he understands how the concept appeals to Carson, whom he called "a bootstrap guy." A retired neurosurgeon, Carson grew up in poverty in Boston and Detroit, although he never lived in public housing. He has long promoted the idea that too much government support creates a culture of dependency among the recipients. During a 2016 speech at his alma mater, Yale University, Carson said: "Government should not keep people in a dependent state. It should be used as a springboard, and not as a hammock." But Cooper said that instead of encouraging greater self-sufficiency, the likely effect will be to force families into homelessness. He said the nationwide average annual income for public housing residents was $12,000 and many families simply won't be able to keep up with the additional expenses. "We're talking about keeping a roof over people who can't afford the market," he said. "They're devastating folks that are already in dire straits." Most Popular Medford gun supporters prepare for ballot showdown Apr 21 at 5:04 PM Police: Cat killed during fight between couple Apr 19 at 6:36 PM A long view of home Apr 19 at 6:56 PM Letters to the Editor, April 21 Apr 23 at 7:31 AM Nathan "Nate" Allen Joling Apr 25 at 8:51 AM Woman charged in $7,000 Victoria's Secret underwear theft Apr 20 at 4:58 PM Man sentenced for raping, assaulting wife Apr 20 at 7:14 AM Roller Derby benefits kids battling cancer Apr 20 at 5:32 PM Driver who struck bulls must pay $23,268 Apr 24 at 7:16 AM Data breach or 'bogeyman'? Apr 23 at 7:32 AM Motorcyclist killed in east Medford crash Apr 23 at 9:02 AM Community Builder: A cheerleader for Southern Oregon Apr 22 at 2:01 AM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501