Department of Housing and Urban Development

Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Government · Public domain · source
Agency name	Department of Housing and Urban Development
Logo width	150
Formed	September 9, 1965
Headquarters	Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, Washington, D.C.
Employees	7,240 (FY2023)
Budget	$73.3 billion (FY2024)
Chief1 name	Marcia Fudge
Chief1 position	Secretary
Chief2 name	Adrianne Todman
Chief2 position	Deputy Secretary

Department of Housing and Urban Development. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is a Cabinet-level executive department responsible for national policy and programs related to housing needs, fair housing opportunities, and the development of the nation's communities. Established during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his Great Society agenda, its mission encompasses improving affordable housing, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and supporting sustainable urban development. The department is headed by the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a position held by individuals such as Robert C. Weaver, George Romney, and Jack Kemp.

History

The creation was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 9, 1965, following advocacy by figures like Senator John Sparkman and the recommendations of earlier task forces like the President's Committee on Urban Housing. Its formation consolidated housing functions previously scattered across agencies like the Housing and Home Finance Agency and the Public Housing Administration. The first Secretary, Robert C. Weaver, also became the first African American to hold a Cabinet position in U.S. history. Key legislative milestones shaping its early work include the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, which expanded homeownership through programs like Section 235 of the National Housing Act, and the Fair Housing Act, also passed in 1968. Subsequent administrations, from the tenure of Carla Anderson Hills under President Gerald Ford to initiatives under Secretaries like Samuel Pierce during the Ronald Reagan era, have continually reshaped its focus and scope.

Organization

The department is headquartered in the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C., named for its first secretary. Leadership consists of the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, supported by several Under Secretaries. Major operational components include the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Office of Public and Indian Housing, the Office of Community Planning and Development, and the Federal Housing Administration. The department also maintains ten regional offices across the country, overseeing field operations in cities like New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. Key subsidiary agencies include Ginnie Mae, which supports mortgage-backed securities, and the Office of Inspector General.

Programs and responsibilities

Core programs focus on providing affordable rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program and managing the nation's stock of public housing through local Public Housing Agencies. The Federal Housing Administration provides mortgage insurance to encourage lending, while the Community Development Block Grant program allocates funds to entities like the City of Los Angeles and the State of New York for local development projects. It enforces the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to combat discrimination. Other significant initiatives include the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, support for homeless assistance grants, and programs administered by the Office of Native American Programs. The department also oversees disaster recovery efforts in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

List of secretaries

The position of Secretary has been held by a diverse group of individuals since 1966. Notable secretaries include the inaugural secretary, Robert C. Weaver, followed by George Romney, who served under President Richard Nixon. Carla Anderson Hills was the first woman to lead the department under President Gerald Ford. Samuel Pierce served throughout the administration of Ronald Reagan, becoming the longest-serving secretary. Prominent figures from the 1990s include Henry Cisneros under President Bill Clinton and Jack Kemp, who served under President George H. W. Bush. Recent secretaries include Julian Castro under President Barack Obama, Ben Carson under President Donald Trump, and the current secretary, Marcia Fudge, appointed by President Joe Biden.

Budget and finance

The department's budget is set through the annual United States federal budget process and appropriations from the United States House Committee on Appropriations and the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations. The Fiscal Year 2024 budget request was approximately $73.3 billion, funding core rental assistance, community development grants, and housing programs. A significant portion of spending is mandatory for rental assistance contracts under the Housing Act of 1937. The department also administers the credit financing of Ginnie Mae, which does not rely on congressional appropriations. Its financial operations and risk management are regularly reviewed by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office.

Criticism and controversies

The department has faced scrutiny over program management, including criticism during the 1980s involving the Inspector General's investigations into fraud during the tenure of Secretary Samuel Pierce, known as the "HUD scandal". Its handling of disaster recovery after events like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy has been questioned by bodies like the Government Accountability Office. The Fair Housing Act enforcement has been a point of political debate, with disputes over policies like the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule. Management of the Public housing stock, including issues with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act, and the performance of the Federal Housing Administration's mortgage fund following the Financial crisis of 2007–2008, have also drawn significant congressional and media attention.