Good Timing to Plan for Presidential, Congressional Transition
PHADA President Mark Gillett.
We are now in the last month of the year and the holiday season is here. A new administration and congressional session will begin in just a little more than a month. It is a busy time for many of us including those planning to head to PHADA’s Commissioners Conference right after the New Year. If you have not already made plans to join PHADA in Miami, I hope you will consider doing so.
We will begin the PHADA meeting on January 5 with organizational meetings to help us plan for the transition to the Trump Administration. In addition, I am pleased that our colleagues from the other industry organizations will join us. To help prepare for the 119th Congress, the elected leaders and staff of NAHRO, CLPHA, and the MTW Collaborative will be there to discuss joint advocacy on budget and policy issues.
As usual, we will have a variety of practical and informative sessions planned for attendees. Some of the workshops on the agenda include sessions on implementation of the Build America Buy America (BABA) program, the latest on the continuing delays around the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) and progress on NSPIRE inspections.
Other notable sessions for executive directors and staff include new provisions on interest income reporting, and how to better plan for, and cope with, voucher budget shortfalls. We will continue holding sessions geared for new executive directors and we will also conduct our annual ceremony for the PHADA-Rutgers Executive Director Education Program (EDEP) graduates.
For Commissioners, there are planned sessions on financial reporting, roles and responsibilities and enhancing leadership abilities. The schedule is printed elsewhere in this edition and a complete agenda is available on our website.
Thank You, Adrianne Todman and Richard Monocchio
Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman met with PHADA President Mark Gillett and members of the Executive Committee during PHADA’s 2024 Legislative Forum in Washington, DC.
The presidential transition means that we will soon witness the departure of some HUD leaders who have been helpful during the Biden Administration’s tenure.
Adrianne Todman joined the administration as Deputy HUD Secretary in early 2021. She became Acting Secretary when Maricia Fudge retired earlier this year.
PHADA appreciates the work of Acting Secretary Todman over the last four years. Having someone in the Department who has “walked in our shoes” has been invaluable to our industry. She has been a true partner and good advocate on any number of issues ranging from budget needs to regulatory policies. She has also been very accessible and open to hearing and considering our views.
We were fortunate that another industry professional, Richard Monocchio, joined HUD to take the helm within the Office of Public and Indian Housing. Like Secretary Todman, he has been supportive of some of our efforts to try and ensure a smoother transition on key regulatory issues. Monocchio personally visited many of our agencies over the last two years to see our local achievements, bolstering our message to policy makers in Washington.
These two HUD officials embody the finest of public servants. Knowing firsthand their professionalism and talents, I am sure we will see both make important contributions in the housing arena for years to come.
Honoring Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK)
PHADA President, Mark Gillett and NAHRO leaders meeting with Rep. Tom Cole in November. (L–R): Richa Goel, Milet Hopping, Mark Thiele, Eric Oberdorfer, Cole, George Guy, Gabriel Smith, Charles Parks, and Gillett.
I very much appreciated NAHRO’s invitation to join President George Guy (Fort Wayne, IN), CEO Marke Thiele and other NAHRO leaders in a November 19 visit on Capitol Hill. The association presented Rep. Tom Cole with its 2024 Legislator of the Year award. Cole represents my home state of Oklahoma and is the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Prior to that position, he chaired the T-HUD appropriations subcommittee.
Mark Thiele noted that Cole has “worked to find bipartisan ground to pass responsible funding for… programs that our nation’s families, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities rely on.” Rep. Cole is indeed a most deserving honoree, and I was pleased to be a part of the event.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
This is the last edition of the newsletter before Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa (one more Advocate is scheduled before January 1, 2025). On behalf of PHADA, I wish you, your families, and loved ones a joyous holiday season.