Urban Studies, Sociology and Political Science, Urban planning, Political science, 05 social sciences, 0211 other engineering and technologies, 0507 social and economic geography, Urban policy, 021107 urban & regional planning, 02 engineering and technology, Public administration, and 050703 geography
Abstract
The Act establishing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1965 articulated a broad mission for the new cabinet-level department: The Congress hereby declares that the gener...
ABSTRACT: Much attention has been focused on devolution of federal functions to states and localities; yet, little devolution is evident. Many forces are generating interest in devolution, but opposition remains potent. Meanwhile, a bipartisan process of de facto devolution involving a defunding of urban programs has been under way for two decades. De facto devolution has been driven predominantly by a shift in federal policy making from places to persons whereby the political incentives for federal officials now lie more in responding to the rights and interests of individuals than to the prerogatives and interests of state and local governments. This article, therefore, examines forces for and against devolution; the devolution records of Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court; de facto devolution in the context of federal emphases on persons; and implications for cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Discusses the federal housing policy in the United States. Possible downsizing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development by Congress; Perceptions of President Bill Clinton's administration on the federal housing policy; Indepth look at the factors which influence the federal housing problems.
Sociology and Political Science, 030503 health policy & services, 05 social sciences, Vulnerability, Public administration, Urban Studies, 03 medical and health sciences, Politics, Urban planning, 0502 economics and business, Agency (sociology), Economics, Housing problems, 050207 economics, 0305 other medical science, and Administration (government)
Abstract
Federal housing policy faces an uncertain future and a weak fragmented political constituency. The Republican controlled Congress may dramatically downsize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Some even want to eliminate the agency altogether. In response, the Clinton administration has promised to reinvent and streamline HUD. Neither approach, however, addresses the nation's housing problems or the totality of federal housing programs in any comprehensive way. The authors analyze the factors contributing to HUD's vulnerability, review the various proposals to reorganize the agency, and propose an alternative and more comprehensive policy that has the potential to expand the political constituency for federal housing policy.
