Senator Sherrod Brown Criticizes New USICH Leader in Letter to HUD Official

Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development (CPD) David Woll criticizing the administration’s pick of Robert Marbut to lead the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). Mr. Woll has been nominated to be Assistant Secretary of CPD, which includes oversight of HUD’s homelessness programs.

Senator Brown notes that Mr. Marbut’s strategies reject evidence-based policies and his appointment comes amid reports that the administration is developing an Executive Order to “crackdown” on homelessness. He requests Mr. Woll answer several questions by December 13, including asking for specifics about any Executive Order or other initiative to address homelessness. Senator Brown also asks if Mr. Woll supports the Housing First model and if he believes the administration’s budget proposals to cut or eliminate critical housing programs such as CDBG, HOME, and Housing Trust Fund will help alleviate homelessness.

The letter is at: https://tinyurl.com/w8bpd7m