The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Thursday that the Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nominee for HUD deputy secretary, Pamela Patenaude. HUD secretary Ben Carson praised Patenaude's confirmation; she will be second-in-command at HUD.
“At this moment when so many of our citizens are suffering, Pam will bring strong leadership when we need her most,” Carson said in a press release. “Pam’s extensive housing and community development experience will be invaluable as we embark upon the long road to recovery for communities hard-hit by disaster and I’m grateful the Senate confirmed her nomination.”
In her role, Patenaude will spearhead the Disaster Management Program and help lead and operate the offices of Public and Indian Housing, Community Planning and Development, Policy Development and Research, and the Housing/Federal Housing Administration. “Ms. Patenaude is uniquely qualified to contribute to these efforts immediately,” according to the HUD release.
Patenaude served as the HUD assistant secretary for community planning and development from 2005 and 2007. She has also led two Washington, D.C.–based nonprofits, the Urban Land Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center. President Trump submitted Patenaude's nomination on April 28.