Housing Reform Cannot Ignore Homeless, Says Former HUD Secretary

At a discussion hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center announcing the launch of a new Housing Commission, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros says the chronically homeless must also be considered when proposing solutions to the housing crisis. (0:18)

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Homeless rates stunning

Mark Johnston from the Office of Community Planning and Development at the Department of Housing and Urban Development says HUD’s 2007 homeless assessment showed a 30 percent drop in chronic homelessness. He says a reduction of homelessness in the hardest to reach population in the United States is stunning. (0:51)
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HUD Secretary Jackson says they have seen a decrease in homelessness

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson says the largest part of the budget is affordable rental housing. Combined, this budget seeks 29 billion for the rental assistance program which they estimate will help more than 4.8 million households. We need to maintain the units currently available in addition to expanding the numbers. Finally, he says, the homeless have not been forgotten, and for the first time ever they have seen a decrease chronic homelessness, a drop of 12%. We must continue the progress, he says. (:48)
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