City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams of Flatbush has a few choice words about President-elect Donald Trump nominating Ben Carson as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, among them "ill-advised," "irresponsible" and hovering on "absurdity."
"Overcoming a troubled youth in the inner city of Detroit and growing up in public housing does not make Carson qualified to hold this important position," said Williams, who is chair of the City's Committee on Housings and Buildings.
Williams added that while Carson has forged a distinguished career in the medical field, the same cannot be said for his policy or urban planning and development. He called the latest move in step with a long list of off-putting appointments made by President-elect Trump.
"Housing is not a play thing that can be taken lightly; it is the rubric of healthy families and the glue that binds vibrant communities," said Williams.
"This flippant disregard to the importance of housing makes the work of municipalities that much harder and exponentially more important," said Williams. "I call on the Administration and City Council to redouble efforts to use all the tools available to ensure quality, income targeted housing."
