Copyright: Mark Van Scyoc
Two senior nominees for positions at the Department of Housing and Urban Development were approved by the full Senate on Thursday, August 3rd and sworn in to their positions at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ms. Anna Farias was confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity while Mr. Neal Rackleff was confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.
Ms. Farias served at HUD under President George W. Bush in senior roles ranging from Community Planning and Development to the Office of Faith Based Initiatives. In her new role, Ms. Farias will push forward HUD’s mission to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.
Former Houston Housing Director, Neal Rackleff, will now serve as the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development. During his confirmations hearings Mr. Rackleff pointed to his tenure in Houston as an example of his dedication to fiscal responsibility and making the most out of taxpayer resources.
NMHC expects the Senate to quickly approve the rest of HUD’s nominees when they return from recess in September, namely confirming Pam Patenaude as Deputy Secretary and Paul Compton as Assistant Secretary for Policy and Research. A full breakdown of HUD senior staff and leadership can be found here.