MBA Urges Senate to Approve Marcia Fudge as HUD Secretary
(Marcia Fudge testified before the Senate Banking Committee in February.)
The Mortgage Bankers Association sent a letter this week urging the Senate to approve Marcia Fudge, the Biden Administration’s nominee as HUD Secretary.
President Joseph Biden Jr. nominated Fudge on Dec. 9. She has represented Ohio’s 11th Congressional District for the past 12 years; she is former mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, and past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The Senate Banking Committee forwarded Fudge’s nomination to the full Senate on Feb. 4. If confirmed, she would be the first woman to lead HUD in more than 40 years and the second Black woman in history to lead the Department.
“Since holding her first elected position as the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, and throughout her representation of Ohio’s 11th congressional district, Congresswoman Fudge has consistently supported the development of affordable housing,” wrote MBA President & CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB. “This experience will serve her well as HUD’s highest ranking official. Throughout her career of over three decades in public service, Congresswoman Fudge has demonstrated the expertise to address the complex set of housing challenges our country faces.”
Broeksmit said as a former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Fudge knows how to build coalitions to advance the shared goals of economic inclusion and boosting minority homeownership.” I believe she will put those talents to good use, helping strengthen America’s housing market, promoting the production of affordable rental housing, improving the fabric of communities nationwide and addressing the needs of those in our country still living ‘on the outskirts of hope,’” he said.
Once confirmed, Fudge will be responsible for addressing the urgent need for ongoing housing assistance during the COVID-19 emergency for both homeowners and renters. “I am confident that she will continue to bring a deep commitment and focus to HUD’s programmatic areas most in demand of her time and attention, including an adequate level of housing counseling resources and the need to continue upgrading the FHA’s antiquated information technology systems, as well as support for public-private partnerships such as FHA’s collaboration with MBA on multifamily underwriting training,” Broeksmit said.
The Senate is expected to take up Fudge’s nomination within the next week.
