The Senate confirmed Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH) as HUD secretary by a bipartisan vote of 66-34 on March 10. As the 18th secretary of HUD since its inception in 1965, Secretary Fudge will be the first woman in 40 years and the second Black woman ever to lead HUD. Secretary Fudge served as the representative of Ohio’s 11th Congressional District for over 12 years, and prior to that, as a mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
In her confirmation hearing, Secretary Fudge committed to undo the previous administration’s harmful actions against the Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH) and Disparate Impact Rules; fully enforce fair housing law; expand affordable housing programs and resources; and permanently authorize the CDBG-Disaster Recovery program, among other priorities. She also expressed a commitment to work with all members of Congress and to address HUD’s largest challenges, including the current pandemic-related crises (see Memo, 02/01).
NLIHC congratulates Marica Fudge on her confirmation as secretary as she leads HUD during a time of extraordinary challenges and hardship for our nation’s lowest-income renters and people experiencing homelessness. NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel wrote in a statement:
“Secretary Fudge has a demonstrated record as a leader who values expertise and the importance of building collaborative partnerships, a record she clearly intends to continue through her and President Biden’s assembling of an outstanding team of seasoned experts to navigate the critical work ahead. Her decision to surround herself with experts and champions for affordable housing, together with her leadership, vision, and commitment to the lowest-income and most marginalized people, will propel HUD to achieve its critical mission and revitalize the department’s depleted and demoralized workforce.”
NLIHC looks forward to working closely with Secretary Fudge to end homelessness and housing poverty in America.
Read HUD’s announcement at: http://bit.ly/3vakf1M
Read Secretary Fudge’s introductory message at: https://bit.ly/2PRAJvE
Read NLIHC’s statement at: http://bit.ly/3qv73Ry