Story highlights Carson is the secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Illinois students sent him letters requesting help

(CNN) Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is sticking by his decision to destroy public housing in Cairo, Illinois, despite receiving letters from sixth graders pleading for him to offer help.

Though he lauded the students for their "passion and devotion" to Cairo, he said: "After a lot of consideration, HUD has decided that the only available option is to help you and your families move to a safer, cleaner, healthier home."

With few housing options in Cairo, the situation could cause friends and families to split apart and would devastate the city and the school district's population.

In the letter, written on April 26 and hand-delivered by a HUD official Tuesday, Carson acknowledged "moving is hard and can be very stressful on families."

He promised to "help you and your parents find a better home."

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