For decades, the Housing and Urban Development Department has been, at best, a second-string player in the Cabinet. But widespread economic chaos, fueled by an unprecedented number of mortgage foreclosures in 2008, has catapulted housing to the top of the national policy agenda and thrust HUD into the spotlight in the incoming administration.
“HUD’s role has never been more important,” President Obama said during a Dec. 13 radio address in which he announced he would nominate Shaun Donovan, the New York City housing commissioner, as HUD secretary.
A higher profile, however, also brings higher expectations. HUD must translate its core mission providing safe, fair, and affordable housing — into a national policy that underpins the Obama administration’s economic recovery plan, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the Great Depression.
Full Article HUD is Obama’s home base for mortgage rescue
Tags: HUD, Mortgage, Obama