Director Todman and Howard University researchers.
Howard University researchers and economics doctoral candidates were invited by Adrian Todman, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to visit the university’s Housing and Urban Research and Policy Center of Excellence to learn about America’s neighborhoods. (Chirp). Ms. Todman’s visit was planned so she could hear research on issues related to public and supportive housing, including rent control, the racial wealth gap, and the intersection of homelessness and climate change. The research is being conducted by researchers at the center.
The acting secretary spoke about the importance of the discoveries made at Howard and other HBCUs in informing the work being done at HUD and ensuring the housing and economic security of all Americans.
We don’t know how well our solutions are working unless we have smart people like you coming behind us and saying, “What’s going on here?” . Even better if you look at the community and understand what the core issues are. Despite your own opinion. ”
“People like me are the core causes of a lot of things that people are going through, whether it’s poverty, whether it’s homelessness, whether it’s black wealth disparity, or certainly the way we need to be. “We need to know more about how our solutions actually address housing affordability,” she said. “We don’t know how well our solutions are working unless we have smart people like you coming behind us and saying, ‘What’s going on here?'” yeah. Even better, take a look at your community and help them understand what’s at the heart of it. Despite your own opinion, the problem is there. ”
Director Todman talks about the importance of HBCU research.
U.S. President Joseph R. Biden appointed Mr. Todman as Acting Secretary of HUD in March 2024. In this role, she oversees a federal agency of approximately 8,000 employees responsible for national policies such as addressing housing needs, promoting community development, and enforcing fair housing laws. Key programs administer mortgage and loan insurance, community development block grants, affordable and low-income housing programs, and fair housing public education. Prior to this appointment, the U.S. Virgin Islands native was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as HUD deputy secretary and previously served as CEO of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and He was the Executive Director of the District Housing Authority (DCHA).
During his visit to Howard, Todman spoke candidly about the sociopolitical environment we live in, where trust in traditional centers of power such as government and universities has plummeted. She discussed emerging policy issues, such as the living needs of middle-class seniors who don’t have the incomes of the rich and don’t have access to programs for the poor. She also emphasized HUD’s role in “reconnecting” communities by providing funding and services to help rebuild communities devastated by natural disasters. He noted that housing advocates need to work “all hands on deck” to solve deep-rooted problems, especially at a time when some are questioning the federal government’s ability to meet the challenges.
Too many people have lost faith in institutions, and we need to find ways to restore that trust. ”
“So many people have lost faith in institutions, and we need to find ways to restore that trust,” Todman argued. “How can we improve the human experience in this country so that we are more united? In addition to race, many of the things that currently divide us are based on skin color and gender. I think the work you’re doing right now to improve our situation through housing is phenomenal, regardless of people’s economic status.”
Todman heard presentations from a number of Howard researchers and fellows, including Jasmine Fuller, who published research showing how the homeless population is at risk from climate change. Rather than using aggregate data, her research uses “311” data collected from calls requesting city services or reporting homeless encampments to assess the prevalence of homelessness in cities like New York City. It helped me understand the situation block by block. She investigated air pollution and exposure to extreme heat in large cities to understand patterns over time associated with specific locations. While providing an overview of her research, she also discussed how her research has impacted her personally.
“It brings you closer to that community, because that could be you,” Fuller said. “This gives me a deeper understanding of what these people are going through, and it gives me the motivation to help them and make everything better.”
Fuller is a fourth-year PhD student in economics. Students specializing in urban economics and environmental economics. After completing her PhD, she plans to further research the economic impacts of climate change in hopes of making public policy more equitable.
Researcher Joseph Dean reports his research to the HUD Acting Secretary.
Researcher Joseph Dean focused on the effectiveness of rent control in Washington, DC. Using both public and proprietary data, Dean has created a dataset of rental properties in the city, demonstrating that rent-controlled units have truly demonstrable economic benefits for the residents they serve. I decided whether or not there was. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Howard University, and his research interests include environmental economics, international trade, and racial and class inequality.
Digna Mosquera presented a methodology to examine the extent to which racial wealth disparities are influenced by Black communities’ engagement with financial advisors. She also looked at financial planning patterns and projected wealth transfers in 2045. This research aligns with Mosquera’s broader research interests, including inequality, immigration, poverty, development, labor markets, and emerging economies. She received her master’s degree from Howard University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D.
Jalissa Worthy observed residential leaders and housing supporters in public spaces and appreciated their influence in creating positive living environments. The survey also raises opinions about public housing governance and the extent to which resident leaders’ views are integrated into public housing policy. Worthy’s exploration of leadership among public housing residents resonates with her other research, which focuses on cognitive social capital, social justice, and community organizing within Black communities. She is a second year doctoral student. student at Howard School of Social Work.
CHURP leads efforts to achieve fair and inclusive societies by promoting the implementation of policies that eliminate inequalities in housing, health, education, economic well-being, and community development. The center is the result of Howard’s historical research and program evaluation on urban issues, workforce development, environmental justice, racial wealth disparities, health care disparities, and disadvantaged populations. The center is led by Director Dr. Hader Kurban, Deputy Director Dr. Rodney Green, and Drs. Co-lead investigators Omari Swinton and Sandra Crew.
Learn more about CHURP here.
