For the second time under a different administration, Brian D. Montgomery has been confirmed as the chief of the Federal Housing Administration.
Montgomery first served as Federal Housing Commissioner for the Department of Housing and Urban Development
during the George W. Bush administration.
He was sworn in as commissioner in June 2005 and stayed in the job until 2009 — six months into the Barack Obama administration.
Montgomery subsequently went on to co-found The Collingwood Group.
Before Bush picked him for the HUD post, Montgomery served as director of presidential advance — a job he held on Sept. 11, 2001. He was with the president in Florida as he was told about the terror attacks, and accompanied Bush on Air Force One to a bunker in Nebraska.
Last September, President Donald Trump nominated Montgomery to again serve as commissioner.
On Wednesday, the Senate
— by unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote — confirmed Montgomery as Federal Housing Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of HUD.
“Brian brings a wealth of housing knowledge and experience to HUD having held this position in two previous administrations, and we are excited to welcome him back to the agency,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a written statement. “FHA’s work is critical to HUD’s mission of advancing sustainable homeownership opportunities and quality affordable housing for all Americans. Brian understands this better than anyone and will be ready on day one to address the challenges of today’s housing market.”
Mortgage bankers applauded the confirmation, with Mortgage Bankers Association President and Chief Executive Officer David H. Stevens issuing a statement commending the Senate.
Stevens, himself, replaced Montgomery as Federal Housing Commissioner as an Obama administration appointee in July 2009.
“His experience, knowledge and ability will ensure his success in this position,” Stevens said of the new FHA chief.
Also happy about the confirmation
was the National Association of Home Builders, with their chairman, Randy Noel, applauding the Senate.
“Having served in this same position under presidents from both sides of the political aisle, he has a firm grasp of the issues and challenges confronting home buyers, renters and home builders,” Noel said.
