Ben Carson Cuts Anti-Discrimination Promise From HUD Mission Statement

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson plans to change the agency's mission statement, removing language about building inclusive communities free of discrimination.

HUD assistant secretary for public affairs, Amy Thompson, issued a memo to political staff at the agency on March 5 notifying them of the change, which she described as "an effort to align HUD's mission with the Secretary's priorities and that of the Administration," according to HuffPost.

The agency's new statement reads: "HUD's mission is to ensure Americans have access to fair, affordable housing and opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency, thereby strengthening our communities and nation."

"An organization's mission is never static," Thompson wrote in the memo, which the HuffPost obtained from an agency employee.

"A mission statement describes an organization's purpose, what it intends to do, and whom it intends to serve. Most importantly, an organization's activities must be embodied in its mission."

Thompson added that Carson and his deputy had input on the new statement, but did not confirm that the language is final.

The current statement remains on the agency's website, and reads:

"HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination, and transform the way HUD does business."

HUD did not respond to the Huffington Post's request for comment.

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