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Filling More Vacancies

Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentThe Department of Housing and Urban Development [1] (HUD) announced Thursday that the new Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Anna Maria Farías, was sworn into her new position by HUD Secretary Ben Carson.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Anna Maria back home to HUD,” said Secretary Carson.  “As she has in the past, Anna Maria will provide steady leadership and will advance HUD’s mission as a manifestation of our nation’s fair housing and civil rights laws.”

Farías was confirmed last week by the U.S. Senate and is a Texas native. Her office is charged with working to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and foster diverse and inclusive communities across the country.

Her past tenure at HUD was under the George W. Bush administration, where she held senior roles as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs in the Office of Community Planning and Development, and as Director of HUD’s Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives. In 2005, she managed over $16 billion in grants in order to provide relief to states and municipalities affected by hurricanes.

Farías has also served on the Board of Regents at Texas Women’s University as both Board Chair and Presiding Officer.

“It is a singular honor to be asked by the President and the Secretary to return to an agency I love,” said Farías. “I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting down to work on behalf of the American people.”

According to the HUD, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal opportunity enforces and educates the public on fair housing policy and laws, including the Fair Housing Act of 1968.