A Wake-Up Call From Kemp : Housing secretary says America needs programs, not studies

Jack Kemp, the federal housing secretary, knows that even a hundred-thousand points of light won’t be enough to address gnawing poverty and dependency in poor America. A lot of people agree with him--but not many, it seems, work in the White House.

Kemp offers a host of anti-poverty ideas that fall within an acceptable range of President Bush’s philosophies. What they haven’t gotten from the President is a place in the federal budget.

To improve housing for the poor, Kemp stresses government-assisted home ownership for low-income families, including those who live in public housing projects. To provide more jobs, Kemp advocates tax breaks, urban enterprise zones and other growth incentives for businesses that locate near distressed areas.

These proposals just might work if given a chance, but the concepts have received little more than a call for further study from the White House. At a recent press conference, the President was asked directly why Kemp’s ideas have not found more favor. In effect the President responded by ducking the substantive issue and praising Kemp, accurately, we think, for being a superb salesman of his ideas.

In fairness to Bush, there’s little room now in the federal budget, especially under the new budget discipline, for maneuvering on domestic programs. And in fact, Bush has increased funding for immunizations, Head Start and the women and infants nutrition program. But what Kemp has suggested takes it all a step further: He’s calling for programs that help more Americans help themselves so that they will not be dependent on the government. That is especially important as more American children grow up in poverty.

The White House must commit to less study and more action. No doubt it’s easy for Kemp, who has his own political ambitions, to talk a good game. But the problems he is addressing are real, and they will come back to bite the nation if left unaddressed.