Holguin, Cloud spar over growth, affordable housing in Dist. 27 congressional debate

VICTORIA — The two major party candidates vying to represent District 27 in Congress proposed sharply different visions for increasing affordable housing during a congressional debate Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, the Republican incumbent, met with his Democratic challenger Eric Holguin in the debate, during which Hurricane Harvey loomed large as the candidates discussed national and local issues and the ongoing recovery effort from the devastating natural disaster.

Holguin and Cloud diverged in their ideas to spur more affordable housing and better wages in South Texas. Housing has become a more pressing area of concern for the region after Harvey damaged or destroyed significant portions of the housing stock.

Cloud called for deregulation to allow builders to construct homes more cheaply. The congressman said a “pro-growth policy” would cause jobs and wages to increase.

Holguin instead called for increasing the minimum wage to help renters afford homes without having to work multiple jobs. He also backed a proposal allowing people to use rent payments to count toward building up their credit score

Read more: https://www.caller.com/story/news/2018/10/25/holguin-cloud-spar-over-growth-affordable-housing-texas-district-27-congressional-debate/1761893002/