Hearing Held on Donovan Nomination

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, chaired by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), held a hearing on the nomination of Shaun Donovan as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) January 13. A date has not been set for the full committee to vote on his confirmation.

Donovan, currently a commissioner in the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), said he believes he “can contribute to restoring this vital sector to health and making quality housing for every American” if nominated. Donovan said he has three areas of particular concerns to present to the committee:

1. He said the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has capacity issues which need to be addressed immediately.
2. He said HUD needs to ensure it is spending its Section 8 vouchers for tenant-based and project-based housing properly. He said the department must foster an environment which fosters “a culture of excellence and innovation”.
3. Donovan said he “gained an appreciation for the benefits of well-crafted and responsive government programs” and also “saw a need to untangle and streamline policy and programs that too often led to missed opportunities.” He pledged to make management reform a high priority and said HUD can lead efforts to promote green housing in its portfolio of public and assisted housing.

“Through HUD we can catalyze the creation of a market for energy efficient homes, lower the utility bills of families, and decrease the subsidy costs of the government,” he said.

“HUD can develop communities that are livable, walk able and sustainable,” he said. “By joining up transportation and housing, HUD can give families the choice to live closer to where they work and, in the process, cut transportation costs.”

He wants to make HUD a model of “evidence-driven government” where goals and metrics are established for each of the department’s goals so “we can clearly and openly show what we have done well and where we can do better.”

Donovan said the department’s network of state and local governments, non-profit and for-profits partners can simulate the production and preservation of affordable housing.

Former Cleveland Mayor George Voinovich Retires

Former Cleveland Mayor Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) retired from the Senate in a written announcement released January 12. Voinovich said he will retire in 2010 at the end of his second term of office. Voinovich was governor of Ohio for eight years, mayor of Cleveland for 11 years, served four years as a state representative and also served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor.

"After prayerful consideration and much thought, my wife Janet and I have decided that I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate,” he said in his statement. “As I spent time with my family during the holidays and celebrated Janet's birthday, I reflected on God's blessings on our family: my wife, our three children, our seven grandchildren and our health.”

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