News Release

FHA COMMISSIONER WINS PRESTIGIOUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AWARD FROM HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION

WASHINGTON - HUD's Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner Brian D. Montgomery has been awarded the prestigious Robert J. Corletta Award for Achievement in Affordable Housing. Presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Montgomerywas recognized for his commitment to creating more affordable housing opportunities and solutions.

"I am honored to be presented with this prominent award," said Montgomery. "Nothing is more important than ensuring Americans have safe, decent, and affordable places to live that they're proud to call home. We have made great strides to promote and preserve affordable housing solutions for hard-working families, but there is more work to do."

The prestigious award is named after the long-time executive director of multifamily operations at NAHB and one of the founders of the Neighborhood Development Collaborative. The Robert J. Corletta award is presented each year to an individual who has showcased achievements in providing affordable housing.

Led by Montgomery, HUD's Office of Housing has taken significant steps and utilized important preservation tools to protect affordable housing. HUD's preservation programs such as the Section 236 Decoupling and Section 202 Elderly Refinance program combined with other resources including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and HOME funds are preserving thousands of units each year.

In addition, through the Mark-to-Market (M2M) and Mark-up-to-Market (MU2M) we have preserved over 3,700 properties, representing over 330,000 units of affordable housing.
Using its authority as a mortgage insurer and its flexible refinancing options, HUD has also worked to build and maintain affordable housing in nearly every major American city, including New York City, Washington, DC and Chicago.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. For more information about FHA products, please visit www.fha.gov.