What Can We Expect from the Biden and Cuomo Administrations on the Future of Housing in America?

What Can We Expect From the Biden and Cuomo Administrations on the Future of Housing in America?

 Julie Ann Racino

April 3, 2021

Cornell and Syracuse University Alumni, 2021

     In January 2021, the Democrats regained control of the White House, returning the 8 year Obama Administration to the White House as Biden-Harris! Joe Biden who reports seeking the US Presidency since his second year in the US Senate (1980s!), successfully defeated Republican US President Trump in the first non-peaceful transition in recent US history!

     Approaching his 100 first days as US President, Joe Biden who has a "stellar career history in foreign affairs" has taken the helm with a first Executive Order on Climate Change.  As Democrats who support a global world (Racino, DNC & DCCC, 2021),  Biden's promises to re-engage in global civil societies bodes well for the US, no matter how difficult the challenges.     

       We were encouraged, and quite surprised, at his promises to appoint the most diverse US Cabinet in its history, and to select equal nominees of "binary genders" (men and women). Since many of us watched the Democratic primary debates in this election campaign, the selection of popular Mayor Pete Buttigieg of Indiana as the first openly LGBT candidate was welcomed appointment as Secretary of Transportation.

Housing in the Biden Administration

     During the campaign, Julian Castro (former US HUD) from Texas and Senator Elizabeth Warren (top Democratic woman primary "vote getter") from Massachusetts were featured late in the Democratic primary campaign as supporting housing for special populations (e.g., post-prison). These rallies paralleled earlier Gubernatorial rallies and events on housing by Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York who successfully won a third term in New York, in 2018. 

      In 2021, Marcia Fudge of the Black Congressional Caucus was confirmed by the US Senate (66-34) as the Biden Administration US Housing and Urban Development appointee. Representative Fudge will be following physician Ben Carson on the Trump Administration in that role, decades after Gov. Andrew Cuomo was appointed to lead US HUD back in the Clinton Administration.  Marcia Fudge assumes the role as Tom Perez, former US Secretary of Labor, is replaced by Jamie Harrison as DNC Chair.  

       US President Biden in his new Executive role kicked off federal housing with plans to support Americans in foreclosure or evictions due to the worldwide pandemic. These plans follow those of US states who sought a moratorium during Covid-19 and are concurrent with efforts to place more money into the pockets of American consumers to address "housing and food insecurity".  Washington Post (Tracy Jan, March 10, 2021) reported 11 million American behind in rent, 3 million homeowners in forebearance, and 600,000 homeowners delinquent. 

         The hearing for Marcia Fudge in March 2021 indicated that housing finance reform (jurisdictional issue, dating back to crisis of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), lending programs for Indian tribes (9 tribes in South Dakota, see, Racino et  al, 1993), intergenerational borrowing, homeless population (90% on Medicaid, government health care poverty program), disparities in housing and wealth by racial groups (Latina, black, white-systemic racial injustice), affordable workforce housing and rehabilitation, social contracts and gig workers, and foster care systems are among the priorities and concerns of the legislatures.

Housing in Biden (Federal) and Cuomo (State) Administration in New York

     In February 2021, the New York Homeless Housing Assistance Board (established in 1990) held its first meeting post election of Democrat Joe Biden as US President. The meeting reported on project status between 2016-2020 from 90 new applications after approval of the December 2020 minutes and project reports. The board is an operational financial arm for construction bidding, and for the New York State Governor's plans, such as Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's New York State supported housing initiatives. 

     As reported from December 2020 (194th meeting) and February 2021 (195th meeting), the board which was established for special needs and generally for families, has funded a range of infrastructure (capital) projects: new generic housing agencies (e.g., Housing Works), targeted Veteran's single family homes, targeted units within planned projects (e.g., severe mental illness-SMI, substance use disorder-SUD, HIV-AIDS), "emergency beds, single adult males", homeless youth and children, low income individuals, refugees and independent living (disability). In addition, the February meeting noted establishment of languages as special needs post an introduction to corrections (See, above).

      Early in Cuomo's Administration (multi-billion, multi-decade plans), major infrastucture projects in supported housing and affordable housing included model building and renovations to upgrade investments in low and moderate income housing in New York State. More details can be found on the Governor's New York State website. In addition, review of selected local housing authorities ranged from contracting with new organizations; for example, Jubilee Homes in Syracuse, New York, a city which features "government high rise buildings and garden apartment complexes". The author's home city of Rome, New York features a newer housing complex "modeled on the Madison Mutual Housing Association" building design (Racino et al, 1993).

     In New York, primary state agencies committed to housing for special populations include: Office of Mental Health, Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (of Bureau of Housing and Support) with leadership by the Medicaid Redesign Team (of New York).  Of particular note are the operation of the federal Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with Aids (HOPWA), SEQRA Environmental Approvals, CARES of New York (from the Trump Administration), and historic preservation approvals. The NYS Executive Budget for FY 2022 includes a proposal to combine the Office of Mental Health and OASAS, and continues to affirm the separate Office of People with Developmental Disabilities.  

Future of Housing in America

      The US has long struggled with addressing what has been termed the homelessness crisis in America (See, Racino, 2014), with federal housing policy deemed unsustainable in 2014! The housing and support movement (Racino, 2000) was designed to place America on a positive trajectory to assure both good quality housing and services (choice movement) were available. However, priorities currently often involve the digital divide (e.g., rural broadband access) and public safety in housing with inclusion (Fall & Summer 2016, Evidence Matters). Today, housing finance includes credit access and seniors' mortgage debt (US HUD, 2016).

      By 2016, the federal government described the health and housing nexus together with the "smoke-free public housing" (See, older posts, this blogspot), paying for success, and opportunity-rich neighborhoods. During the Trump Administration,  US HUD Secretary Ben Carson returned to the age-old problem of lead-based paint in older housing (HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes) without note of the water crisis involving lead pipes in cities.  Biden has vowed to remove lead pipes from 1,126 homes and to cap leaking wells (CBSN, 2021). While consistent with healthier homes, we continue to grapple with the problems of aging buildings, cities and city infrastructure which varies by regions in the US.

      Excellent programs were featured through the federal bureaucracy, including on housing mobility and neighborhood revitalization programs (e.g., Fall 2014, Evidence Matters). The basic arguments which predated the Obama era are "if you live in better neighborhoods with higher-priced* housing" (See, wealth and housing, Fudge hearing, 2021), you also will have your children in better schools and education." Educational attainment is tied to college degrees which changes income upwards for lifetime (For early segregation analyses, see Carr & Kutty, 2008, and severe disability and community integration, e.g., Taylor, Bogdan & Knoll, 1987).

      Most disconcerting in 2012 was the continued street population from coast to coast (now tent cities), and an analyses of priced out of the housing and rental markets (Racino, 2014). New York Governor's Cuomo's initiatives (e.g., program and capital budgets) were noteworthy as requiring emergency shelters in addition to permanent supportive housing and affordable housing in the state (See, NYS Executive Budgets, 2011-2022). Other states discussed the history of disinvestment in our cities in America, directly in opposition to the Clinton, Gore and Cuomo plan of 2000 (See, earlier blogspot, Racino, 2018), which contributed to the US housing market status in the global economy.

      In 2021, the Biden administration faces the "crisis at the southern border" from the Trump Administration and a "mass flow of migrants" seeking to enter the US as single, unaccompanied minors, family units, or as adults. The housing crisis first is visualized as a mass detention center which is overcrowded, expanding, and termed a health facility while immigration applications are processed at illegal entry points to US. The migration is tied to US policies on Central and South America, and to open border and US citizenship and immigration policies. This crisis was highlighted by the national news media as US President Joseph Biden was on his way to a meeting with 27 Nations in the world. 

Postscript

      Together with green infrastructure plans (See, NYS Energy Efficiency and Housing Advisory Board, 2021), Microsoft News online warns of efforts for the green new deal to erase "white supremacy" and that "contrary to the above", US household net worth is $12 trillion higher than before the pandemic (Levitz, 2021). Since we began with the new widening "two halves of America" versus the three tier (low, middle and high incomes) of the 1980s and 1990s (Racino, 2014), we support the "overwhelming popular proposals " (Levitz, 2021) of Biden, and Democrats to support the middle class (e.g., child care allowance and tax credits). 

      Similar to the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, public policies of economic growth thus are based on principles we value: good, quality housing, clean and green air & water, schools and education! Investing in people, in energy, in communities, in cities, in our health, in hospitals, in non-profit leadership, in private and business development, in seniors and vulnerable populations, and in good government which supports people and their hopes for the future (See, NYS Executive budgets, 2011-2022). While Joe Biden and Andrew Cuomo both support a minimum federal wage increase, to date the US Congress and US Senate have not passed the nationwide legislation. 

     Both US President Joe Biden and New York Governor Cuomo plan to invest in infrastructure as a growth and modernization in America. The federal theme of Building Back Better includes an ambitious proposal to build, preserve and retrofit 2 million homes ($213 billion) together with public housing investment ($40 billion) and 1/2 million (500,000) new homes for the middle class (2021, March 25). These developments follow substantial investments in New York under the Cuomo Administration (e.g., NYS Executive budgets, Department of Housing and Community Development, 2011-2022).  Investment in housing, construction and real estate has always been good for America and for American families!

    The state theme of New York State: The State of Opportunities is expected to be part of the new Biden Jobs Plan and Cuomo's Vision of New York as America and New York move forward through the era of testing, restrictions, vaccinations and lockdowns to the post-pandemic reopening of the US, states, and world economies.  We look forward to the investments in our collective futures and to a better world in the generations to come! 

For More Information from the Author

Racino, Julie Ann. (1993). Madison Mutual Housing Association and Cooperative. In: Julie Ann Racino, Pamela J. Walker, Susan O'Connor, & Steven J. Taylor, Housing, Support and Community (pp. 253-280). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.  http://www.bn.com

Racino, Julie Ann. (2000). Families, housing, independent living and community support: Essential course content.  Personnel Preparation in Disability and Community Life (pp. 29-46). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishers Inc.  http://www.amazon.com 

Racino, Julie Ann. (2014).  Housing and disability: Toward inclusive, sustainable and equitable communities. Public Administration and Disability: Community Services Administration in the US  (pp. 123-156). New York, NY: CRC Press, Francis and Taylor. http://www.crcpress.com 

Community Integration from the Author

Racino, Julie Ann. (2013). Reflections on a Consultation Visit to the Former Czechoslovakia prior to the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Rome, New York: Community and Policy Studies. Square Market/Community and Policy Studies

Racino, Julie Ann. (2013). Reflections on Community Integration in the US and Great Britain in 1991. Rome, New York: Community and Policy Studies.  Square Market/Community and Policy Studies

New York State Resources

Cuomo, Andrew J. and Mujica, Robert F., Jr.  (2021). NYS Executive Budget 2022 Briefing Book. Albany, New York: Office of the Governor and Division of Budget.   

Housing and Homeless Assistance Corporation. (2021, February 3). Housing Homeless Assistance Corporation Board Meeting. Albany, NY: HHAC via NYS Office of Disability and Temporary Assistance.     http://www.otda.ny.gov/news&meetings                          

Housing and Homeless Assistance Corporation. (2020, December 2). Housing, Homeless Assistance Board Meeting. Albany, NY: HHAC via NYS Office of Disability and Temporary Assistance.

NYS Energy Efficiency and Housing Advisory Board. (2020, September 16). Advisory Board Meeting Slides. Albany, NY: NYS Climate Leadership.

Cuomo, Andrew J.  (2011-2021). Governor Andrew J. Cuomo, Governor's Website. Albany, New York: New York State Office of the Governor. 

Federal Administrations

US Senate. (2021, January 28). Confirmation Hearing of Marcia Fudge and Celia Rouse for US HUD and Council of Economic Advisors. Washington, DC: US Senate via PBS Newshour (YouTube) viewed 3/13/2021.  

Castro, Julian. (2014, June 17). Confirmation Hearing of Julian Castro for US Housing and Urban Development and Laura Wertheimer for Inspector General of Federal Housing Finance Agency.  Washington, DC: US Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. viewed 3/13/2021.

Clinton, William J.,  Gore,  Al  & Cuomo, Andrew M. (2000). The State of the Cities 2000: Fourth Annual Report. Washington, DC: US Housing and Urban Development. 

Jan, Tracy. (2021, March 10). Marcia Fudge confirmed as first black woman to lead HUD in more than 40 years. The Washington Post (Microsoft News online). 

Levitz, Eric. (2021, March 27). Biden doesn't need to be FDR or LBJ to change America. Intelligencer (Microsoft News online). 

Party Politics and Elections

Biden, Joseph R. Jr. (2021, March 25). First US Presidential Press Conference. CBSN online. Washington, DC: The White House. 

Cuomo, Andrew J. (1997). Confirmation Hearing for US Housing and Urban Development. Washington, DC, US Senate.  viewed March 2021 online.

Cuomo, Andrew J. (2020). American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic. New York, New York: Crown Publishers. 

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. (2021). Membership. Washington, DC: DCCC. Leadership: Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker and Joe Biden, US President.

Democratic National Committee.  (2021). Membership. Washington, DC: DNC. Leadership: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris with DNC Chair Jamie Harrison.

Perez, Tom. (2018, April 18). Confirmation Hearing for US Secretary of Labor.  Washington, DC: Health, Education, Pension and Labor Committee, US Senate. viewed March 2021

Federal Resources

US Housing and Urban Development. (2014, Fall). Housing and neighborhoods' role in shaping children's future.  Evidence Matters (pp. 1, 3-16). Washington, DC: US HUD, Office of Policy Development and Research.   http://www.hud.gov/policy

US Housing and Urban Development. (2016, Winter). Leveraging the health-housing nexus. Evidence Matters  (pp. 1, 3-12). Washington, DC: US HUD, OPDR.

US Housing and Urban Development. (2016, Spring). Pressing challenges in housing finance: Credit access and seniors' mortgage debt. Evidence Matters  (pp. 1, 3-12). Washington, DC: USHUD, OPDR.

US Housing and Urban Development. (2016, Summer). Housing, inclusion and public safety. Evidence Matters (pp. 1, 3-15). Washington, DC: US HUD, OPDR.

US Housing and Urban Development. (2016, Fall). Community development and the digital divide. Evidence Matters (pp. 1, 3-12).  Washington, DC: US HUD, OPDR.

Segregation and Integration

Carling, Paul J. (1995). Improving access to, preserving, and developing housing.  Return to Community: Building Support Systems for People with Psychiatric Disabilities (pp. 206-226). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Carr, James H. and Kutty, Nandinee K. (2008). Segregation: The Rising Costs to America. NY and London: Routledge , Taylor and Francis. 

Heumann, Judith E. (1993). A disabled woman's reflections: Myths and realities of integration. In: Julie Ann Racino, Pamela J. Walker, Susan O'Connor, and Steven J. Taylor, Housing, Support, and Community: Choices and Strategies for Adults with Disabilities (pp. 233-249).  Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes. 

National Council on Disability. 2010. The State of the Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective. Washington, DC: Author. 

Nisbet, Jan, Clark, Marsha, & Covert, Susan. (1991). Living it up! Analysis of research on community living. In: Luanna H. Meyer, Charles A. Peck, & Lou Brown (Eds.), Critical Issues in the Lives of People with Severe Disabilities (pp. 115-144). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes. 

Racino, Julie Ann. (1993). Housing, homes and support: Part II. In: S. J. Taylor, R. Bogdan, & J. A. Racino (Eds.), Life in the Community: Case Studies of Organizations Supporting People with Disabilities (pp. 83-89). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes. 

Racino, Julie Ann (2012). Community Integration. Wikipedia: The Free Online Encyclopedia. 

Shoultz, Bonnie. (1995). "My heart chose freedom": The story of Lucy Rider's second life. In: Steven J. Taylor, Robert Bogdan & Zana Marie Lutfiyya, The Variety of Community Experience: Qualitative Studies of Family and Community Life (pp.155-174). Baltimore, ND: Paul H. Brookes.

Taylor, Steven J., Biklen, Douglas, & Knoll, James A. (Eds.) (1987). Community Integration for People with Severe Disabilities. NY and London: Teachers College Press, Columbia University. 

Towell, David. (Ed.). (1988). Enabling Community Integration: the Role of Public Authorities in Promoting an Ordinary Life for People with Learning Difficulties in the 1990s. London: King Edward's Hospital Fund. 

The New Diversity in Governments

Anderson, Elaine A. (1989). Implications for public policy: Toward a pro-AIDS social policy. In: Eleanor D. Macklin (Ed.), AIDS and Families. NY, NY and London, UK: The Haworth Press. 

Brown, Steven. E. (2008). Surprised to be Standing: A Spiritual Journey. Charleston,SC: Healing Light Publications. 

Clinton, Hillary and Kaine, Tim. (2016). Break down the barriers that stand in the way of equal rights. Stronger Together: A Blueprint for America's Future (pp. 208-229). NY, London, Toronto, Sydney, & New Delhi: Simon and Schuster. 

Cook, Julie. (2003, February). Ethnic pride. Human Resources Executive, pp. 1, 22-24, 26-27.

Giunta, Nancy, Chow, Julian, Scharlach, Andrew E., & Dal Santo, Teresa S. (2004). Racial and ethnic differences in caregiving in California. In: Sherry M. Cummings & Colleen Galambas (Eds.), Diversity and Aging in the Social Environment (pp.85-109). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. 

Harry, Beth. (1992). Cultural Diversity, Families, and the Special Education System: Communication and Empowerment. NY, NY and London, UK: Teachers College, Columbia University. 

Healey, Sheila A. (2004). Advocating for health and human services: The New York experience. In: Ronald Hellman & Jack Dreschler, Handbook of LGBT Issues in Community Mental Health (pp. 43-54). New York, New York: The Haworth Press. 

Hellman, Ronald E. & Dreschler, Jack. (2004). Handbook of LGBT Issues in Community Mental Health. NY, NY, London, UK, and Victoria, Australia: The Haworth Press.

Hunter, Ski. (2005). Midlife and Older LGBT Adults: Knowledge and Affirmative Practice for the Social Services. NY, NY, London, UK, & Oxford, UK: The Haworth Press. 

Johnson, Kelley. (2005). Containing uncontainable women. In: Kelley Johnson and Rannveig Traustadottir (Eds.), Deinstitutionalization and People with Intellectual Disabilities: In and Out of Institutions (pp. 66-75).  London, & Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 

Racino, Julie Ann. (2003). Utica Monday Nite: Arts, Culture, Nature and History at the City Level. Rome, New York: Community and Policy Studies. 

Starner, Tom. (2002, December). Thinking global-e. Human Resources Executive, pp. 29-32. 

Blogspots

Racino, Julie Ann. (2016, October 24). Is It Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable Housing or Is it Housing, Support and Disability? Rome, NY: Community and Policy Studies. 

Racino, Julie Ann. (2018). Businesses Economic Development and US Cities in the 20th Century. Rome, NY: Community and Policy Studies.

Racino, Julie Ann. (2019). The New Faces of Public Administration in 2019-2020. Rome, New York: Community and Policy Studies (with ASPA, American Society for Public Administration).

From the Archives 

US HUD. (2005, September). HUD releases study on discrimination of persons with disabilities. Research Works: A Bridge Linking Housing Research and Practice, Vol 2 (No. 8), pp. 4,7. 

US HUD. (2005, April). Summary of March 2004 housing research and policy forum. Research Works, Vol. 2 (No. 4), pp.1-2, 5.