More Trouble At ACORN
October 26, 2009
After a couple ACORN employees got caught advising two investigative reporters about how to avoid paying taxes on a brothel they wanted to start, ACORN’s leadership fired the employees and tried to chalk up it all to a few bad apples.
But a recent Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report, as reported in USA Today demonstrates that the mismanagement at ACORN is a systemic problem, not an isolated scandal.
Between 2002 and 2008, federal funding for a HUD program to help people avoid foreclosure on their homes has more than tripled to $65 million – much of which is funneled to ACORN and other community groups. President Obama’s budget calls for increasing it to $100 million. There’s only one problem: HUD “has been unable to provide much proof the program works.” According to HUD:
- “At present there is limited evidence of the benefits of counseling in making homeownership more sustainable.
- “Despite not meeting its expectations, HUD continued to propose increases in funding.”
Following the now infamous videos, the House and Senate voted to end federal funding for ACORN. HUD’s reports confirm the wisdom of these votes.