HUD Official Resigns After Capitol Siege

A high-ranking Department of Housing and Urban Development official announced his resignation on Thursday, a day a mob took over the U.S. Capitol.

Hunter Kurtz, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, stepped down on the same day Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced their resignations, among others.

“I have informed the Secretary that I will be resigning today at the close of business,” Kurtz wrote in an email to HUD staff. I just want to take a moment and thank you. Being the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing and working with you over the past 18 months has truly been the greatest honor and privilege of my life. During this time, we have done incredible work, in some of the most challenging times our industry has faced. Most importantly we helped residents of our programs prepare for and respond to a virus that disproportionately affected the people we serve.”

National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials CEO Adrianne Todman praised Kurtz, a Pennsylvania native, for resigning and for his service.

“Assistant Secretary of Public and Indian Housing Hunter Kurtz resigned from HUD today, which I consider a testament to his character,” Todman Tweeted. “Hunter was an excellent AS who listened, learned and led well.”