Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) offered sharp criticism of the Biden administration’s housing policies during an April 18 Senate hearing.
In his opening statement at a hearing on the Oversight of Federal Housing Regulators before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Mr. Scott accused the administration of failing to address housing affordability issues effectively.
Mr. Scott, the ranking member of the committee, offered a concern voiced by multiple lawmakers, highlighting the challenges facing many Americans in the housing market since President Joe Biden took office.
The South Carolina Republican pointed to several trends, including a 150 percent increase in mortgage rates, a 20 percent rise in rents, and a sharp uptick in homelessness, including a 12 percent increase in just one year, which he described as the highest number on record for the United States.
“Despite empty promises from the White House about helping working families, the simple fact is that housing costs under this administration have skyrocketed,” Mr. Scott asserted. “I see that in families worried about how to make ends meet and watching the dream of homeownership seem further and further and further away.
“What has become apparent is that this administration’s platitudes about affordability and housing have failed to line up with their policies.”
Mr. Scott expressed concern over the Biden administration’s approach to housing affordability, characterizing it as a “progressive wish list” that has exacerbated the problem rather than alleviating it.
He criticized policies such as imposing rent controls on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties and proposing environmental mandates that could add up to $31,000 to the cost of each new home.
“Decades of research have proven that rent control policies make housing supply and affordability issues worse, not better,” Mr. Scott argued. “These policies limit the number of people served by affordable housing programs and restrict housing supply.”
The senator also raised objections to The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed rule to remove crime-free ordinances, which aim to keep rental communities safe by excluding convicted criminals. He warned that this rule could compromise community safety and urged a reassessment of federal housing policies.
“We need to reverse course and take a different road when it comes to federal housing policy,” Mr. Scott emphasized. “It is past time to consider my legislation, along with other common-sense bipartisan proposals that would include real solutions to tackle housing challenges.”
Acting Secretary of HUD Adrianne Todman defended the administration’s efforts to address housing affordability. However, the acting secretary did not directly address Mr. Scott’s statement.
Ms. Todman outlined several initiatives implemented by HUD to support housing affordability, including providing new incremental vouchers to families, supporting first-time homebuyers, and addressing homelessness. She also emphasized HUD’s commitment to energy efficiency and climate resiliency in multifamily housing.
“While we acknowledge that there is more work to be done, HUD remains committed to its critical mission of supporting families in need,” Ms. Todman remarked. “Housing is a priority for the Biden-Harris administration, and HUD is prepared to do its part to address housing challenges.”
Ms. Todman concluded her testimony by expressing readiness to work with the committee and reiterated HUD’s commitment to serving the American people. “I look forward to working with you and addressing any questions or concerns you may have,” she said.
For his part, Mr. Scott was left without a clear answer to his questions and asserted that the way in which Ms. Todman’s agency was conducting its business leaves Americans “painfully aware that ‘Bidennomics’ has not helped them, [and is] instead burdening them so much.”
