Housing Secretary Ben Carson was in Chicago Monday to attend a policy round-table discussion with local housing leaders on ways to foster economic development. But Carson skipped out of a previously announced press conference in Bronzeville after the round-table, and HUD spokespeople have not responded to Bisnow's requests for comment as to why.
Carson's Chicago visit came days after the Trump administration announced it would delay enforcement of an Obama-era federal housing rule requiring communities to address patterns of racial housing segregation. A group of 12 protesters from affordable housing advocate groups Jane Addams Senior Caucus, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance and ONE Northside, were on hand to protest Carson's visit and demand full funding for HUD, but Carson left HUD's Section 3 Bronzeville field office 15 minutes before the announced presser was to begin.
Helping people develop the skills they need to compete in today’s workforce can change lives for the better across the nation. Today I’m talking about #Section3 and other policies that can foster economic development. pic.twitter.com/ZTUWtDhIiy
— Ben Carson (@SecretaryCarson) January 8, 2018
Protesters also appeared at Carson's first meeting at the Metcalfe Federal Building, where he met with the staff of HUD's Midwest regional office. So far, HUD has not made available any transcripts from either meeting.
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