http://www.hud.gov 



Department of Housing and Urban Development 

            
  
  HUD was born in 1965, but its history extends back to the National 
  Housing Act of 1934. Learn more about our mission and our rich past. 
  
  Mission
  A decent, safe, and sanitary home and suitable living environment 
  for every American 
      Fighting for fair housing 
      Increasing affordable housing & home ownership 
      Reducing homelessness 
      Promoting jobs and economic opportunity 
      Empowering people and communities 
      Restoring the public trust 
  History
  1965
  Department of Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 creates HUD 
  as Cabinet-level agency. 
  1966
  Robert C. Weaver becomes the first HUD Secretary, January 18. 
  1968
  Riots in major cities follow assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King 
  Jr. Civil Rights Act of 1968 (also known as the Fair Housing Act) 
  outlaws most housing discrimination, gives HUD enforcement 
  responsibility. Housing Act of 1968 establishes Government National 
  Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) to expand availability of mortgage 
  funds for moderate income families using government guaranteed 
  mortgage-backed securities. 
  1969
  Robert C.Wood receives recess appointment as HUD Secretary, January 
  7. George C. Romney is appointed HUD Secretary by President Richard 
  M. Nixon, January 22. 
  1970
  Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 introduces Federal 
  Experimental Housing Allowance Program and Community Development 
  Corporation. 
  1972
  Pruitt-Igoe public housing buildings in St. Louis are demolished. 
  1973
  President Nixon declares moratorium on housing and community 
  development assistance. James T. Lynn becomes HUD Secretary, 
  February 2. 
  1974
  Housing and Community Development Act consolidates programs into 
  Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Section 8 
  tenant-based certificates increase low-income tenants' choice of 
  housing. Gerald R. Ford becomes president following Nixon's 
  resignation. 
  1975
  Carla A. Hills is appointed HUD Secretary, March 10. 
  1977
  Patricia R. Harris is appointed HUD Secretary by President James E. 
  Carter, January 23. Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) give 
  distressed communities funds for residential or nonresidential use. 
  1979
  Moon Landrieu becomes HUD Secretary, September 24. Inflation hits 19 
  percent, seriously impacting homebuying and home mortgage loans. 
  1980
  Depository Institutions' Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 
  1980 changes rules governing thrift institutions, expands 
  alternative mortgages. 
  1981
  Samuel R. Pierce Jr. is appointed HUD Secretary by President Ronald 
  W. Reagan, January 23. Interest rates for FHA-insured mortgages peak 
  at 15.17 percent (up from 7 percent in 1972). 
  1983
  Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 begins Housing 
  Development Action Grant and Rental Rehabilitation. programs. 
  1987
  Stewart B. McKinney Act sets up programs to help communities deal 
  with homelessness. 
  1988
  Indian Housing Act gives HUD new responsibilities for housing needs 
  of Native Americans and Alaskan Indians. Housing and Community 
  Development Act allows sale of public housing to resident management 
  corporations. Fair Housing Amendments Act makes it easier for 
  victims of discrimination to sue, stiffens penalties for offenders. 
  1989
  Jack F. Kemp is appointed HUD Secretary by President George W. Bush, 
  February 13. Financial Institutions' Reform, Recovery, and 
  Enforcement Act bails out failing thrift institutions. 
  1990
  Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act emphasizes 
  homeownership and tenant-based assistance, launches HOME housing 
  block grant. Low-Income Housing Preservation and Residential 
  Homeownership Act of 1990 fortifies Federal commitment to 
  preservation of -assisted low-income, multifamily housing. 
  1992
  Federal Housing Enterprises' Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 
  1992 creates HUD Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight to 
  provide public oversight of FNMA and Federal Rome Loan Mortgage 
  Corporation (Freddie Mac). 
  1993
  Henry G. Cisneros is named Secretary of HUD by President William J. 
  Clinton, January 22. Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community 
  program becomes law as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
  of 1993. 
  1995
  "Blueprint for Reinvention of HUD" proposes sweeping changes in 
  public housing reform and FHA, consolidation of other programs into 
  three block grants. 
  1996
  Homeownership totals 66.3 million American households, the largest 
  number ever. 
  1997
  Andrew M. Cuomo is named by President Clinton to be Secretary of 
  Housing and Urban Development, the first appointment ever from 
  within the Department.