The U.S. Senate voted 80-17 to confirm President Trump’s nomination of Pamela Patenaude to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
Patenaude had previously worked at HUD as assistant secretary for community, planning and development under President George W. Bush, and will leave her job as president of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America’s Families to join the Trump Administration. The votes against her nomination came from Vermont’s Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and leading Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer plus Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Richard Blumenthal.
HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson announced that Patenaude will lead the department’s Disaster Management Group and will play a primary leadership and operational role in coordinating the long-term recovery efforts of 16 program and support offices within HUD.
“At this moment when so many of our citizens are suffering, Pam will bring strong leadership when we need her most,” said Dr. Carson. “Pam’s extensive housing and community development experience will be invaluable as we embark upon the long road to recovery for communities hard-hit by disaster and I’m grateful the Senate confirmed her nomination.”
Industry reaction to the confirmation was positive.
David H. Stevens, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association stated that Patenaude “brings with her deep knowledge of real-estate finance and housing issues, and has the right experience to be successful in this job.”
National Association of Realtors (NAR) President William E. Brown called her “the right choice for deputy secretary,” adding that she “has the background and experience necessary to do the job right, and we look forward to working with her to improve the landscape for current and prospective homeowners.”
Shanna L. Smith, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, found her “eminently qualified,” adding that she has “can help HUD effectively execute disaster relief programs and disseminate funds in a fair and expeditious manner.”
