United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
The United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a cabinet-level official responsible for overseeing the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which was established in 1965 to address housing needs and urban development challenges in the country. This role includes managing various programs designed to promote safe, affordable housing for American families, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The secretary also plays a critical role in developing national housing policies and advising the President on issues related to housing and community development.
HUD emerged from earlier initiatives aimed at improving housing accessibility, notably during the Great Depression, and has since been involved in legislation that confronts housing discrimination and supports community development. Notable historical figures in this role include Robert C. Weaver, the first secretary and the first African American to serve in a U.S. cabinet position, and Carla Anderson Hills, the first woman to hold the position. The secretary is not only pivotal in managing departmental goals but also has a significant role in promoting fair housing laws and ensuring housing standards across the nation. The office holds a critical position in the federal government, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance living conditions for diverse communities in America.
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United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
The secretary of housing and urban development oversees and manages the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD was founded in 1965, when several other agencies merged into one. HUD oversees many programs and agencies, including the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is one of the largest mortgage insurers in the world. HUD also administers numerous programs to help American families and individuals secure safe and affordable housing.
The housing secretary helps develop national housing policies. As a cabinet-level official, the secretary also advises the president on matters concerning housing and community development. In the line of succession, the secretary of housing is thirteenth in line for the presidency.
Overview
The Department of Housing and Urban Development can be traced back to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which was created in 1934 to help Americans struggling with housing during the Great Depression. In 1947, the federal government created the Housing and Home Finance Agency to help Americans afford homes. The FHA continued to work independently, assisted by funding from the Housing Act of 1949 and the Housing Act of 1959.
In 1965, the federal government created the Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty initiative. The FHA was rolled into this new cabinet-level department. HUD fought housing discrimination with the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and then introduced the Federal Experimental Housing Allowance Program and Community Development Corporation in 1970. During the presidency of Jimmy Carter, HUD gave out Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) to help develop impoverished communities.
HUD is responsible for all issues related to American housing. This includes developing communities throughout the nation, creating positive home environments for Americans, ensuring proper housing standards, and developing fair housing laws. It also helps lower and moderate income families afford home ownership through its mortgage assistance programs.
The secretary of housing and urban development is appointed by the president. The HUD secretary is responsible for managing the entirety of the department. This includes ensuring that the goals of HUD and its numerous bureaus, agencies, and programs are carried out in an efficient manner. HUD is responsible for maintaining divisions such as the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Office of Community Planning and Development, and the Office of Public and Indian Housing. It also includes numerous ongoing housing assistance programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, which provides rental assistance for low-income families and elderly and disabled individuals; Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); and the HOME Investment Partnership Program.
The first HUD secretary was Robert C. Weaver, who was appointed by President Johnson in 1966. Weaver was the first African American cabinet member. The first woman to serve as secretary of HUD was Carla Anderson Hill, who was appointed by President Gerald Ford in 1975. The first African American woman to serve as a US cabinet member was Patricia Roberts Harris, who was secretary of HUD during the administration of President Jimmy Carter.
Bibliography
“Housing and Urban Development Department.” Federal Register, www.federalregister.gov/agencies/housing-and-urban-development-department. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“HUD History.” US Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov/about/hud‗history. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“HUD’s Historical Timeline.” HUDUser.gov, www.huduser.gov/portal/hudtimeline‗1960.html. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Mobley, Cedric. "Acting US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Reviews Howard Research on Housing Affordability, Access, Resident Leadership, and the Effects of Climate Change." The Dig, Howard University, 28 Oct. 2024, thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/acting-us-secretary-housing-and-urban-development-reviews-howard-research-housing-affordability. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
“Questions and Answers about HUD.” US Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov/about/qaintro. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
“US Department of Housing and Urban Development.” USA.gov, www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-department-of-housing-and-urban-development. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.