MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'hud'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:48:56 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028155&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHyem7SCcShk%2F By Tad DeHavenWhen government officials come up with what they claim to be a wonderful new idea, I often think of an old Saturday Night Live skit from 1990 poking fun at commercials for blue jeans. The skit’s scene is a group of middle-aged buddies getting ready to play basketball in their new “Bad Idea Jeans.” Each guy optimistically announces a plan to do something that is actually a “bad idea.” For example, a character says “I don’t know the guy but I’ve got two kidneys and he needs one, so I figured…” and “BAD IDEA” flashes across the screen. (The skit can be watched here.) The White House’s new “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” initiative had that BAD IDEA screen shot flashing repeatedly in my mind as I read the press release: Today, the Obama Administr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028155 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:00:05 +0100 5028155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841440&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtYpomVeivos%2F By Tad DeHavenA year-long investigation by the Washington Post into the Department of Housing & Urban Development’s HOME affordable housing program uncovered systemic waste, fraud, and abuse. The tale is yet another example of why the federal government should extricate itself from housing policy and allow the states to chart their own course. The piece is lengthy and should be read by interested readers in its entirety, so I’ll just excerpt the Post’s findings: Local housing agencies have doled out millions to troubled developers, including novice builders, fledgling nonprofits and groups accused of fraud or delivering shoddy work. Checks were cut even when projects were still on the drawing boards, without land, financing or permits to move forward. In at least 55 cases, dev... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841440 Tue, 17 May 2011 18:07:26 +0100 4841440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789220&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fl6rZ5DLuA-4%2F By Mark A. CalabriaLast week I participated on a panel on federal rental housing policy, organized by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies in conjunction with the release of their new report on conditions in the rental market.  In their defense, the report does attempt to avoid offering policy prescriptions.  But the report does come pretty close to suggesting that we spend more on federal rental housing assistance.  In the post-housing bubble  environment, many, myself included, have dared suggest that there’s nothing wrong with someone being a renter, and that maybe we pushed too many into homeownership. But saying we overdid homeowneship is not the same as saying we ignored rental.  In fact the federal government has spent massive amounts on rental housing, yet ac... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789220 Wed, 04 May 2011 18:01:28 +0100 4789220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780290&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTYGUQ-njVIo%2F By Tad DeHavenLocal officials, like their federal and state counterparts, spend other people’s money. Policymakers are naturally unlikely to spend other people’s money as carefully as they would their own. This situation is exacerbated when local officials spend money obtained from federal taxpayers. At least when local taxpayers foot the bill, they have an incentive to keep an eye on how their money is spent. That incentive is largely nonexistent when the money comes from Washington. HUD community development programs illustrate what happens when the federal government severs the relationship between local officials and local taxpayers. Originally targeted to large cities in decline, community development funding is spread widely to communities rich and poor, large and small. Local of... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780290 Tue, 03 May 2011 20:32:05 +0100 4780290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436732&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fhe9bjIQ7Sr8%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing the Federal Government, we focused on the following issues this week: Sen. Rand Paul bucks the trend of wimpy spending cut proposals with a more serious plan. Perhaps Charlie Sheen's agent should consider getting him a gig with HUD. A Senate Democrat supports a plan that would focus on spending cuts and not tax increases. Policymakers should roll back the punishing regulations and taxes that make it difficult for businesses of all races and sizes to succeed. Federal energy policy, Newt Gingrich, and "rank gooberism." This Week in Government Failure is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436732 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:33:23 +0100 4436732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424216&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fvkx4wny6XWE%2F By Tad DeHavenThat’s what the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s recently retired inspector general had to say in response to rampant malfeasance and mismanagement at public housing authorities uncovered by a joint investigation by ABC News and The Center for Public Integrity. From the report: The problems are widespread, from an executive in New Orleans convicted of embezzling more than $900,000 in housing money around the time he bought a lavish Florida mansion to federal funds wrongly being spent to provide housing for sex offenders or to pay vouchers to residents long since dead. Despite red flags from its own internal watchdog, HUD has continued to plow fresh federal dollars into these troubled agencies, including $218 million in stimulus funds since 2009, the joint inv... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424216 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:02:30 +0100 4424216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419112&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8PbpRgs3Pk8%2F By Tad DeHavenFreshman Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has raised the bar in Washington by releasing a bill that would make substantial, specific, and immediate cuts in federal spending. While policymakers on both sides of the aisle have largely paid lip service to stopping Washington’s record run of fiscal profligacy, Paul’s proposal makes good on his campaign promise to seriously tackle the federal government’s bloated budget. Paul’s bill would target $500 billion in cuts for fiscal 2011 alone. While audacious by Washington standards, cutting federal spending by that amount would still leave us with a projected $1 trillion deficit this year. Nonetheless, the federal government’s scope would be dramatically curtailed, which would pay dividends in coming years as the economy is unshackled ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419112 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:49:44 +0100 4419112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318318&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6mUrYebcNh0%2F By Tad DeHavenFederal taxpayers helping foot the tab for renovations to a local wine bar? It sounds crazy, but that’s par for the course with HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program. A Connecticut newspaper recently ran an article on CDBG money being used to spruce up storefronts in the town of Putnam: The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant money slated for Cohen’s building comes shortly after a similar grant project finished across the street, said Economic Development Director Delpha Very. Facade improvements to the Glimpse of Gaia florist, Pangaea Wine Bar and Panache consignment shop finished last month, said building owner Sean Marchionte, of Providence-based Blue Dog Investments. The building’s owner — go figure — thinks it’s just great: “I... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318318 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:43:17 +0100 4318318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880828&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgrG-A9SYFKA%2F Yesterday the Treasury and HUD hosted a “Conference on the Future of Mortgage Finance.”  It was an invite-only of Washington insiders.  Somehow I found myself on the invite list, which was almost enough to make me believe that the Administration was finally serious about reforming Fannie and Freddie. After getting over the nausea of being in a room full of people who I personally knew bore some responsibility for the mess we are in, I was then shocked that, compared to the rest of the room, Treasury Secretary Geithner came across as the radical.  On one hand Geithner was very clear that the Administration was going to push for some sort of government guarantee, but also that the current structure, particularly Fannie and Freddie, were broken.  He also went as far as admitti... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880828 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:50:52 +0100 3880828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283515&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fy93MnVvdGE0%2F By Tad DeHavenThe same federal agency that brought us monumental failures like public housing wants to play a bigger role in fostering so-called regional “smart growth.” HUD secretary Shaun Donovan recently traveled to Portland, Oregon to announce the Obama administration’s new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. This new bureaucracy will distribute $140 million in grants for regional “smart growth” planning: With OSHC’s grant programs, HUD will provide funding to a wide variety of multi-jurisdictional and multi-sector partnerships and consortia, from Metropolitan Planning Organizations and State governments, to non-profit and philanthropic organizations. These grants will be designed to encourage regions to build their capacity to integrate economic development, lan... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283515 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:50:35 +0100 3283515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023100&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrshhO2-EQSg%2F Three decades of politics and failed policies at HUD. Michael D. Tanner on the Senate Sell-Outs: “At a time of 10.2 percent unemployment, they voted to make it more expensive to hire workers, especially low-wage workers. With the economy struggling, they voted for $485 billion in tax hikes. They voted to raise the payroll tax, limit your flexible spending account, and tax your health insurance plan. This is moderation?” The limits of U.S. power in Afghanistan: “Even if more troops were better deployed, the odds of reasonable success in reasonable time at reasonable cost are long.” Republican and Democratic senators pushing for subsidizing prayer. In Washington next week? Tom Palmer will be here Tuesday, Dec. 1 to discuss his new book, Realizing Freedom. Can&... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023100 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:38:41 +0100 3023100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984775&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9WriRdpMVHE%2F This report is a small illustration of the fundamental problems with the federal government subsidizing local governments. The local public housing agencies are supposed to be monitoring how money is spent and reporting to HUD. HUD is supposed to be monitoring the local public housing agencies. But no one does a very good monitoring job, despite the piles of regulations and paperwork that every level of government has to deal with for such subsidies. The muddled web of responsibilities also makes it easy for fraud artists to take advantage. Last week, HUD’s IG reported that the department is sending $220 million in stimulus funds to local agencies already known to misspend taxpayer dollars. From USA Today: The government is sending millions of dollars in stimulus aid to communities and h... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984775 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:27:20 +0100 2984775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828185&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FlFIK3nLroGA%2F Republicans are all over the ACORN scandal and calling for an end to federal subsidies for the group. Well that’s great, but it’s not exactly going out on a limb and pushing for a major budget reform. Why doesn’t the GOP use this as an opportunity to call for completely ending the programs that funded ACORN? Wouldn’t it be better to save the $13 billion a year that HUD spends on so-called “community development” programs, rather than just the few million dollars a year that taxpayers spend on ACORN? The federal programs that funded ACORN are particularly wasteful ones, including Community Development Block Grants, Housing Counseling Assistance, and others as Tad DeHaven has explained. At a minimum, the GOP should be arguing that with deficits of $... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828185 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:55:05 +0100 2828185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737704&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7X_pJG6gRnI%2F An article published this week by National Review magazine blames the many problems of California on—take a guess—high taxes, over-regulation of business, runaway state spending, an expansive welfare state? Try none of the above. The article, by Alex Alexiev of the Hudson Institute, puts the blame on the backs of low-skilled, illegal immigrants from Mexico and the federal government for not keeping them out. Titled “Catching Up to Mexico: Illegal immigration is depleting California’s human capital and ravaging its economy,” the article endorses high-skilled immigration to the state while rejecting the influx of “the poorly educated, the unskilled, and the illiterate” immigrants that enter illegally from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. Before swallowing the article’s ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737704 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:34:18 +0100 2737704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452373&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDNh0SGI5fA4%2F A month ago, President Obama issued a list of proposed spending cuts that I dismissed as “unserious” due to the fact that they were trivial when compared to his proposed spending and debt increases.  Today, the House Republican leadership released a list of proposed spending cuts. I’d love to say I’m impressed, but I can’t. Both proposals indicate that neither side of the aisle grasps the severity of the country’s ugly fiscal situation, or at least has the guts to do anything concrete about it. The GOP proposal claims savings of more than $375 billion over five years, the bulk of which ($317 billion) would come from holding non-defense discretionary spending increases to no more than inflation over the next five years. First, it should be cut — pe... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452373 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:39:20 +0100 2452373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255990&cid=t_109496_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2nX4f9l5GWI%2F The National Center on Family Homelessness has generated headlines today by releasing a report that claims “one in 50 children is homeless in the United States every year.” That would be a total of 1.5 million homeless children, a truly shocking figure. The number is all the more shocking because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says there actually only 671,000 people were homeless in 2007 (the last year for which data is available), of which only about 249,000 were people in families. Assuming even one adult per family would mean there were around 166,000 homeless children, far too many, but also far fewer than 1.5 million. What accounts for the discrepancy? First, the National Center uses an incredibly broad definition of homeless. For example, in addition to thos... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255990 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:39:10 +0100 2255990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594069&cid=t_109496_158_f&fid=36160&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeinstitute.com%2Fcaregivingminutes%2F%3Fp%3D97 A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows a home owner to convert a portion of the equity in their home to cash. The loan is specifically designed for senior home owners; age 62 and older. The reverse mortgage program began as a way to help seniors remain in their homes for the long-term. The reverse mortgage is considered a loan because a banking institution agrees to allow a senior home owner to borrow a portion of the equity in their home. A portion of the home equity is paid to the senior borrower in installments, lump sum, or a combination of installment and lump sum payments. The income from a reverse mortgage is not taxable. Learn more about What a Reverse Mortgage Does including the uses and benefits. Why is the income not taxable? Essentially, because the money you used to build ... CaregivingMinutes™ by Pope Institute blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594069 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:36:50 +0100 1594069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1416568&cid=t_109496_158_f&fid=36160&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeinstitute.com%2Fcaregivingminutes%2F%3Fp%3D70 If I had a dime for every time I saw a reverse mortgage commercial, I could fund my own retirement plan. About 4 months ago the reverse mortgage commercials started coming fast and hard. I distinctly remember the morning I was watching television and both my husband and I noticed that almost every other commercial was selling a reverse mortgage. It’s like there is the sacred hour that seniors are watching television and every reverse mortgage lender in the world needs a 60 second spot during that viewing hour. I don’t watch a lot of television but at this point, I can almost narrate the reverse mortgage commercials from memory; like the syndrome your children have with their favorite movies. I believe they call that syndrome “narratum verbatim”-or at least that’s what another f... CaregivingMinutes™ by Pope Institute blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416568 Fri, 02 May 2008 21:04:53 +0100 1416568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=518706&cid=t_109496_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F04%2F03%2Fmore-bad-news-about-names-based-reporting-of-hiv-cases%2F This article on the switch mentions toward the end that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering using names-based HIV case reports to drive its funding allocation, proposing to Congress that this change take effect in the 2008 fiscal year. HUD’s Office of HIV/AIDS Housing manages several programs that assist people living with HIV/AIDS, including Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA). AIDS Action Committee receives HOPWA funding to administer its Rental Assistance, Housing Advocacy and ROOF (Roofs Over Our Families) programs. Programs like these recognize that people living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to receive stable medical care if they have stable living situations and that housing is one of the main concerns of the population that we s... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=518706 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:56:09 +0100 518706