Sunny Hostin, co-host of "The View," recently expressed her frustration over the ongoing debate about affordable housing in the United States.
Her comments were sparked by the rapid construction of Alligator Alcatraz, a facility built in just eight days under President Donald Trump's administration. This facility is designed to temporarily house illegal immigrant criminals awaiting deportation. Hostin's remarks, however, did not delve into the complexities of how policies for low-income housing compare to the temporary housing of convicted illegal immigrants.
"I dont want to hear anything ever in this country again about not being able to house people [and] no affordable housing because they put this thing up in 8 days," Hostin stated. "8 days, so where there is a will, there is a way."
According to the Daily Caller, Alligator Alcatraz is situated in the Florida Everglades and is tasked with accommodating individuals with serious criminal records. Among those awaiting deportation are Lazaro Rodriguez Santana, a Cuban national convicted of sexual assault and failure to register as a sex offender, and Jose Fortin, a Honduran national convicted of second-degree murder. These cases highlight the facility's role in managing individuals with severe criminal backgrounds.
In contrast, affordable housing policies are designed to provide permanent, reasonably priced housing options for low-income individuals and families. These policies often include rent assistance and have no direct link to illegal immigration or deportation processes. In states like California, where such policies are in place, wealthier neighborhoods have experienced increased rental costs and slower housing development due to mandates for low-income housing units.
The financial burden of operating Alligator Alcatraz, estimated at $450 million annually, is primarily shouldered by the state of Florida. The state plans to seek reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The facility is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 individuals awaiting deportation, a move Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis argues is essential for alleviating the strain on local jails and law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner are working to identify federally owned land that could be repurposed for residential use.
This initiative aligns with President Trump's executive order aimed at addressing the cost-of-living crisis, reflecting a broader effort to expand affordable housing options across the nation.
Login