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60 | TH E M R EP O RT O R I G I NAT I O N S E R V I C I N G DATA G O V E R N M E N T S E C O N DA R Y M A R K E T THE LATEST GOVERNMENT Eliminating Red Tape Dr. Ben Carson discussed steps that can be taken to make housing more affordable. D r. Benjamin Carson, Secretary of the De- partment of Housing and Urban Develop- ment (HUD), called for incen- tives to eliminate red tape that could lead to more affordable housing, according to a report by Fox News. "Our country is facing serious housing affordability challenges," Carson said in a statement. "Too many families can't afford a home mortgage, and too many Americans face high rent prices … We must do more to increase supply and bring down housing costs by reducing state and local regulations and zon - ing restrictions." Some of the possible reasons for elevated home prices cited includ- ed zoning, rent control, permitting, and environmental regulations. Carson, speaking recently at a conference, used California as an example, where monthly housing costs for a family of four in the San Francisco area averages $3,121, according to a USA Today study. "To exacerbate the problem, last year California mandated that all new homes must have solar panels, which will further drive up the price of a new house," Carson said at the conference. The report adds that Carson has talked to mayors of both par - ties who agree there is a need to roll back local land use and build- ing rules, which would make it easier to build new and renovate housing units. "Regulations such as density limitations, height restrictions, park - ing requirements, lengthy permit- ting and approval processes, and 'not in my backyard' … opposition are the primary reasons for housing supply restrictions and increased housing costs," Carson said during his speech in Washington, D.C. "HUD is working with local public officials, business leaders, and com - munity leaders to mobilize support for smart but significant deregula- tion at the local level." The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has reported that increasing regulatory costs account for 25% of the price of a single-family home and 30% of a multifamily development. "Removing regulatory barriers that contribute to the increased costs of housing will pave the way to homeownership," said NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde, a builder and developer from Torrington, Connecticut. "Home builders and the residential con - struction community are commit- ted to working with Congress to ensure homeownership is within reach of hard-working families." Funding for Disaster Recovery The Disaster Bill has moved to the President's desk to provide additional relief to the states impacted by the 2017 hurricanes. T he Disaster Recovery Funding Act became law recently after it was signed by the President. The bill provides $19.1 billion in recovery funds for disaster-affected areas including Puerto Rico. The House passed the bill after voting 354-58 before it was moved to President Don - ald Trump for his sign-off. U.S. Reps. Randy Weber and Lizzie Fletcher introduced the Bipartisan Disaster Recovery Funding Act in May with support from 13 other co-sponsors from Texas, mostly from the Houston area, as well as supporters from other communities waiting on the funding, including Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, and Puerto Rico. The Act directs federal agen - cies to release the $16 billion in disaster funds Congress approved in early 2018 following Hurricane Harvey to different states and territories—including more than $4 billion to Texas—within 60 days. "After Harvey hit, I fought alongside the Texas delegation to secure additional funds for Harvey survivors," said U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul. "Unfortunately, the agencies tasked with distributing these funds did not respond with the same urgency." "We must work together quick - ly to pass a bill that addresses the surge of unaccompanied children crossing the border and provides law enforcement agencies with the funding they need," said top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger of Texas on Fox News. "The stakes are high. There are serious—life or death—repercussions if the Congress does not act." According to the Texas Tribune, Texas has already received billions of dollars for Harvey recovery, but each bucket of money is designated for a spe - cific purpose. The $4.3 billion that Congress approved for Texas last February is part of a HUD grant program designed "to help cities, counties, and states recover from Presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas."