Marcia L. Fudge has been confirmed in as the 18th Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Fudge took the oath this March 10 after the U.S. Senate voted positively on her confirmation. She now leads a federal department with influence over a half dozen federal agencies and bureaus, as well as management and enforcement over the HUD Code, which defines construction and safety standards for manufactured homes.
Federal housing bodies that Fudge now oversees include:
Federal housing bodies that Fudge now oversees include:
- Offices of Housing, Community Planning and Development
- The Federal Housing Administration
- Public and Indian Housing
- Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
- Policy Development and Research
- Field Policy and Management
- Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae)
- Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
- Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
“The past year has reminded us just how important it is to have a safe and stable place to call home,” Fudge said in her comments following confirmation. “But, right now, for millions of Americans, that sense of security and peace of mind is out of reach.
“Our country has an immense responsibility and profound opportunity to address the housing crisis facing so many people… to provide relief for those struggling to pay their rent or mortgage as a result of the pandemic, to ensure every American experiencing homelessness has a roof over their head, to revitalize our communities—and help more Americans achieve their dream of homeownership, to break down the barriers of injustice that still limit the futures of far too many young people,” she said.
The Manufactured Housing Institute worked with Fudge directly as well as through her former colleagues in Congress, including those representing Ohio, to gauge and test the new secretary’s commitment to manufactured housing. During Senate hearings on Fudge’s appointment, she characterized manufactured housing as an “outstanding option” and said that she is “100% supportive” of looking at incorporating manufactured housing into the Department’s affordable housing strategies.
“MHI is pleased that Rep. Marcia Fudge has been confirmed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” MHI CEO Lesli Gooch said. “Throughout her confirmation process, Secretary Fudge has expressed her strong support for manufactured housing and her commitment to incorporating manufactured housing into the department’s affordable housing strategies, just like her predecessor. We look forward to keeping the momentum going as we work with Secretary Fudge to update FHA’s financing programs, finalize the outstanding updates to the HUD Code and create a streamlined process for future revisions, and encourage her to exercise HUD’s preemption authority when local building standards and zoning policies exclude manufactured housing.”
Lisa Rice, president and CEO of National Fair Housing Alliance, said her organization is looking forward to working with Fudge, Congress, and the new administration to continue work on the disparate impact in the housing sector affecting protected groups and furthering fair housing for all Americans.
“Housing segregation remains the primary driver of inequality in the U.S., where neighborhoods of color are less likely to have well-resourced schools, living wage jobs, healthcare facilities, full-service groceries, fitness centers, green spaces, and bank branches, but more likely to have hazardous and toxic facilities, and polluted land, air, and water,” Rice said in a statement upon Fudge’s confirmation. “We are glad that Secretary Fudge and the Biden-Harris Administration understand these structural barriers to housing equity and intend to be partners in implementing fair housing priorities that ensure everyone has access to decent, affordable housing in healthy, vibrant, well-resourced communities free from discrimination.”
