HUD report: Feds fiddled despite evidence of awful housing

CAIRO, Ill. (AP) - A report by a watchdog says the federal government could have done more to intervene in southern Illinois while residents were stuck with mice, mold and lead paint in public housing.

The report comes from the inspector general at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The report says bureaucrats during the Obama administration were reluctant to step in at the Alexander County Housing Authority because of possible "political repercussions," although evidence of poor conditions and mismanagement was known.

HUD has managed daily operations at the Alexander County agency since February 2016. Housing complexes in Cairo, which housed 400 people, are being shut down. The Southern Illinoisan reports that only seven families remain.

Illinois' two senators say safe housing shouldn't be at risk because of government inaction.

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com