ATLANTA — The U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is hoping to address critical housing shortages in Georgia and nationwide.
Secretary Marcia L. Fudge traveled to Atlanta for her second stop of “HUD on the Road.” The program brings HUD leadership together with local elected officials, stakeholders, and others to discuss HUD’s programs, policies, and priorities.
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Her visit Thursday included a roundtable discussion with several representatives from Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities at Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta.
Fudge discussed how college students have been priced out of affordable housing in urban neighborhoods, often forced to stay with friends because rent is so expensive.
Fudge said at HBCUs, there are often more students than beds, so the need is critical.
“At least 50% of our students are Pell eligible, which means that they have a certain income that qualifies them for assistance,” Fudge said. “So we are trying to seek ways which we can use that status that they have. To help them with their housing needs.”
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Fudge also spoke on President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan and a $200 million commitment just announced to distribute housing vouchers to families across the country.
The Housing Authority of Atlanta is set to get $500,000 in vouchers to distribute.
“The thing that rings for me about Atlanta is the large minority population. And what is happening here,” Fudge said. “Whether it be gentrification or moving people out because they can’t afford to live in certain communities but there are so many opportunities here.. That’s what I see.”
Fudge also traveled to Columbus to meet with residents at a NeighborWorks meeting to make an announcement about the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program.
She will return to Atlanta on Friday.
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