FHA Commissioner Carole Galante recently announced she will leave her role as HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Housing and FHA Commissioner in the fall. In January, she will assume the I. Donald Terner Distinguished Professorship in Affordable Housing and Urban Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and will also serve as the Director of the Berkeley Program in Housing and Urban Policy and co-chair the Fisher Center on Real Estate Policy Advisory Board.
Galante has served in her current role at HUD since she was confirmed by the Senate in late 2012. In this, she has had direct responsibility for oversight and administration of the FHA’s trillion dollar insurance portfolio, which includes single family and multifamily housing as well as insured health care facilities. During her tenure, Galante oversaw a nearly fivefold increase in Multifamily and Healthcare loan volume and directed the implementation of holistic approaches to investment in and preservation of affordable rental housing.
More importantly, by surrounding herself with an exceptional HUD staff, Galante has ushered in a new way of conducting business at the agency. NH&RA Executive Director Thom Amdur notes, “Commissioner Galante’s tenure at HUD has been characterized by strong leadership and exceptional, long-term vision. We at NH&RA wish her the best in her next endeavor and appreciate all she has done for HUD and the affordable housing industry, in general.”
Biniam Gebre, General Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Housing, will lead the Office of Housing and FHA in an Acting capacity after Galante’s departure.
