HUD No. 20-015

HUD Public Affairs

(202) 708-0685 FOR RELEASE

Thursday

January 30, 2020

SECRETARY BEN CARSON VISITS TENNESSEE DURING AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUS TOUR

Carson's nationwide tour is focused on eliminating barriers to affordable housing development



NASHVILLE, TN - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson today visited Tennessee as part of his "Driving Affordable Housing Across America Bus Tour." Secretary Carson participated in an Affordable Housing Roundtable at the state capitol with Governor Bill Lee and community members to discuss regulatory barriers to affordable housing and innovative ways to increase the state's housing supply, particularly for Tennessee's most vulnerable populations.

"Families, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders all have concerns about the rising cost of housing," said Secretary Carson. "This bus tour is an opportunity to bring everyone to the table so we can work together to eliminate outdated regulations and increase our nation's supply of affordable housing. Thank you to Governor Lee for hosting this informative discussion about increasing affordable housing options for all Tennesseans."

"As our state continues to grow and thrive, it's vital that we ensure our residents have safe and affordable housing options," said Governor Bill Lee. "Secretary Carson recognizes that we can increase access to those quality options by reducing and removing burdensome federal regulations, and I thank him for his leadership and sharing his expertise in Tennessee."

The "Driving Affordable Housing Across America Bus Tour" is a part of the work Secretary Carson is undertaking as the Chair of the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing established in June 2019. The Council's eight Federal member agencies are engaging with governments at all levels-State, local, and Tribal-and private-sector and non-profit stakeholders on ways to increase our country's housing supply so more Americans have access to affordable housing.

Secretary Carson's "Driving Affordable Housing Across America Bus Tour" will run through June 2020. For more information on Council's work and tour locations, please visit www.hud.gov/drivingaffordablehousing or follow along via social media using #DrivingAffordableHousing.