HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge resigns and leaves office in 11 days without giving a reason for leaving

WASHINGTON (AP) – Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (*11*)Marcia Fudge announced on Monday that she would resign from her position effective March 22, saying she was leaving “with mixed feelings.”

Former mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, and later Ohio state representative in Congress, Fudge, 71, served as HUD Secretary because the starting of President Joe Biden’s administration.

“As a dedicated public servant for almost fifty years, I have dedicated myself to improving the quality of life for the citizens of this nation, focusing on those who needed it most,” Fudge said in a statement. “Having worked at every level of government… I have worked tirelessly to ensure that America keeps its promise of freedom and justice for all.”

Knot’s statement didn’t indicate why he was now resigning, stating only that he planned to “transition to the life of a private citizen.”

The White House in a statement praised Fudge’s commitment to increasing the availability of inexpensive housing and protecting the housing needs of a number of the country’s most vulnerable people.

“From her time as mayor to her years as a fierce advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marcia’s vision, passion and focus on expanding economic opportunity have been an asset to our country,” said Biden, a Democrat. “I am grateful for all of her contributions to a housing system that works for all Americans, and I wish her all the best in her next chapter.”

Since taking up, HUD Fudge has focused most of its efforts on addressing homelessness and increasing housing affordability – issues which have develop into more acute during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Last 12 months, HUD announced a series of measures aimed toward reducing barriers to access to inexpensive housing, akin to zoning restrictions, which in some places have develop into an obstacle to increasing the availability of inexpensive housing.

Fudge touted the undeniable fact that her agency had expanded rental assistance to 100,000 additional families. HUD also built and repaired greater than half a million inexpensive housing units, issued more latest rental assistance vouchers in the last three years than were issued in the identical period in the last twenty years, and sheltered greater than 1.2 million people experiencing homelessness.

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White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said Biden “will certainly name a successor” to Fudge, but didn’t provide a timeline for that process. For now, the White House said, HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will function HUD secretary after Fudge’s departure.

Under Fudge, HUD “has worked closely with partners at the federal, state and local levels to increase the housing supply, particularly the supply of affordable homes, while committing historic resources to fighting homelessness,” Dalton said. “With Secretary Fudge at the helm, HUD strictly enforced fair housing laws and took a stand against racial bias and discrimination in the appraisal market.”

David M. Dworkin, chairman of the National Housing Conference, said in a statement that Fudge’s tenure at HUD “exceeded all expectations” and praised her for helping Americans address the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic while prioritizing inexpensive housing policy .

Dworkin called Fudge a steadfast supporter of fair housing policies, saying she supports initiatives aimed toward “alleviating homelessness, increasing access to affordable housing and supporting sustainable communities.”