by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
March 11, 2024
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge announced her resignation, a surprising departure from Cabinet.
Marcia Fudge has just announced her resignation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She will step down from the role on March 22.
Fudge relayed the news on HUD’s official website. A press release shared on March 11 detailed her achievements within the organization in a role she’d held since 2021.
“As a dedicated public servant for nearly five decades, I have been devoted to improving the quality of life for the people of this nation, focusing on those with the greatest need,” stated Fudge. “Having worked at every level of government, including as a mayor, then as a congressional staffer, a member of Congress, and now as the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that America lives up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.”
She continued by stating her belief in HUD’s mission toward affordable, quality housing nationwide, and expressed that her resignation came with “mixed emotions.”
Fudge then listed HUD’s accomplishments, including creating 2 million public and multifamily housing units, serving over 1.2 million unhoused people, and enforcing Fair Housing laws that protect against racial discrimination. The former U.S. representative also noted that wider accessibility for Americans to obtain FHA mortgages for homeownership happened during her tenure.
The announcement comes as a surprise, given that President Biden’s chief of staff assured days earlier that no other members of Cabinet would leave this year, per Politico.
Biden has since released his own statement thanking Fudge for her work.
“I’m grateful for all of her contributions toward a housing system that works for all Americans, and I wish her well in her next chapter,” expressed POTUS.
As for Fudge’s future, the longtime politician told USA Today that she was excited about leading a more private lifestyle.
“Don’t look for me to ever be on another ballot or another appointee or anything like that,” she said. “I really do look forward to being a private citizen.”
Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary, with the White House confirming that Biden will nominate a replacement.
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