Created in 1965 as a cabinet department to consolidate federal housing and urban programs under one Secretary. It insures mortgages through the FHA, channels rental and public-housing aid to local authorities, and enforces the Fair Housing Act.
Open the interactive page for HUD →Created byDepartment of Housing and Urban Development Act, Sept. 9, 1965 (Pub. L. 89-174, 79 Stat. 667)
Head appointed42 U.S.C. § 3532: the Department shall be headed by a Secretary appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. No fixed term (PAS)
Removal standardno statutory removal protection — removable at will (Myers v. United States, 272 U.S. 52 (1926))
Funded underDepartments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
Congressional oversightHouse Committee on Financial Services · Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Inspector generalHUD OIG (PAS IG under the IG Act, 5 U.S.C. § 403(a))
Judicial reviewAPA § 702 suits in district court; Fair Housing Act enforcement, 42 U.S.C. § 3612; administrative hearings before HUD ALJs
Vote for President and Senate; file a housing-discrimination complaint with HUD (hud.gov/fairhousing or 1-800-669-9777); comment on proposed rules at regulations.gov; apply for assistance or file a complaint through your local Public Housing Authority.