Industry Applauds Confirmation Of Julia Gordon As FHA Commissioner

In a narrow victory decided by a tie-breaking vote, Julia Gordon has been confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

President Biden nominated Gordon to the position in June. Her nomination to the Senate for a vote didn’t happen in 2021, forcing President Biden to re-nominate her. This time around, Gordon was confirmed by a 51-50 vote in the Senate after a tie was broken by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Gordon most recently served as president of the National Community Stabilization Trust, a nonprofit organization that promotes neighborhood revitalization and housing affordability.  Gordon previously served as Senior Director of Housing and Consumer Finance at the Center for American Progress and manager of the Single-Family Policy team at the FHFA.

The industry’s reaction to Gordon’s confirmation has been largely positive. The National Fair Housing Association applauded the move in a statement, which reads in part, “We extend our sincerest congratulations to Julia Gordon on her confirmation as HUD’s new FHA Commissioner. Ms. Gordon is a highly regarded housing and mortgage expert, with an unwavering commitment to equity, who brings a wealth of experience to this role. Over the years, she has effectively engaged a broad range of stakeholders to develop and implement solutions to some of the nation’s most difficult housing problems including those stemming from the 2008 foreclosure crisis and Great Recession.”

NAR president Leslie Rouda Smith said, “Julia Gordon’s accomplished career in real estate has prepared her to lead the FHA at a time when housing in America is at somewhat of a crossroads… We congratulate Commissioner Gordon and commend Congress for finalizing her confirmation, as rising mortgage rates and persistent, nationwide inventory shortages make it critical to have strong leadership atop the agency.”

“NAHB congratulates Julia Gordon on her Senate confirmation as the new FHA commissioner…” said Jerry Konter, chairman of NAHB.

“NAHB looks forward to working with Commissioner Gordon to confront rising housing affordability concerns and to implement policies that will provide homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans.”

Bob Broeksmit, CMB, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association also issued a statement of congratulations.

“MBA congratulates Julia Gordon on being confirmed to lead the Federal Housing Administration… We look forward to working with Assistant Secretary Gordon, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, and other stakeholders to ensure a resilient FHA program that works for lenders and borrowers and provides more affordable housing opportunities for our nation’s homeowners and renters, while protecting taxpayers.”