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While every new presidential administration has the opportunity to put their own stamp on government agencies, White House guidance needs to be specific enough to avoid confusion and harm for both the recipients of a department’s funding, and the people who actively work there.
This was some of the perspective shared on Wednesday by Adrianne Todman, the former acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during much of the Biden administration’s final year.
Todman explained that the realities of any presidential transition at government departments comes with a change in priorities and decision-makers. But a lack of specifics from President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive actions related to federal spending raises questions about the impact of the orders on beneficiaries of HUD programs.
“I’m certain, I would like to think, that any of the communications sent to HUD and other departments was not intended to harm veterans, seniors, disaster victims, or kids who rely on the federal government’s resources,” Todman said in an interview with HousingWire. “That’s what I would like to think, that anything happening now is an unintended consequence.”
But there is likely a lot of anxiety that people are feeling about the unpredictability in being able to access resources they rely on, she explained.
“I used to run a housing authority,” she said. “It’d be very difficult right now to take into consideration that an agency would not receive the operating funds that they need from HUD to make repairs to public housing, or to make sure that folks are being housed and coming off the waiting list.”
There is a thoughtful way to go about such orders, she added, and it’s her hope that in the days to come there will be more specifics on what people can expect regarding what these actions mean for HUD programs.
While Todman is unable to speak to the internal morale at HUD right now, she lauded the department’s staff.
“I’m sure they’re trying to do everything they can to be in compliance,” she said. “I think specificity around which direction to go is always welcome. The HUD team is a strong one. They’re very knowledgeable about HUD’s place in the whole housing ecosystem. And when provided an opportunity, they will always perform. What I hope for them is that they will get the kind of support they will need to carry out their duties.”
Regarding housing finance programs, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Tuesday published an informational notice saying that all of its Title I and Title II mortgage programs are not impacted by a funding freeze ordered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). That freeze was also blocked late Tuesday by a federal judge in Washington, D.C. until at least Feb. 3.
But orders impacting the raft of HUD programs, including those FHA mortgage programs, are indicative of the department’s status as an “intentionally complicated entity” given all the ways it has sought to support homeownership across “rural America, urban America, homeownership writ-large across the country,” she said.
She is concerned about a lack of guidance or clarity regarding what to “turn on” or “turn off,” she explained, especially considering the level at which HUD has to perform. Examples Todman cited included in-progress rental unit construction and financing via hard funds, as well as mortgage insurance programs.
There are also outstanding questions about the potential implications on HUD disaster assistance funding for hard-hit areas, including those impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, or the wildfires that destroyed the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui.
“Leaders who are moving forward with recovery plans need assurance that they can continue to move forward,” she said. “I think as quickly as we can get this evaluation done and there is more information about what’s available to people across the country — in red states, blue states and purple states — that’s going to be extremely helpful to all the Americans who are relying on HUD services.”
Todman added that once Scott Turner is confirmed by the Senate as the next full-time HUD secretary, there will be more clarity from leadership on how to implement the agenda of the department as envisioned by the Trump administration.
“Every department needs leadership,” she said. “I think once Mr. Turner and other appointees are in the building, they will be able to help carry out this administration’s vision on where it wants to go. I think that’s always best [accomplished] when the proper leadership is in place.”
Todman added that anyone who remains unsure about the potential impacts of these orders on HUD assistance programs, or contracts to carry out the people’s business, should continue to speak up and ask questions.
“We are at a point right now where folks can’t remain silent if they’re concerned about what’s ahead,” she said. “We have to share our expertise, our opinions and our thoughts about how to make sure that housing is moving forward in a way that I know that everybody wants to see.”
Questions about improving government efficiency are always legitimate, but such efforts need to be rooted in actions that do not harm vulnerable Americans, she said.
As for her own next steps, Todman said she is currently enjoying her “freedom” and is determining the next best course for herself and her family.
