Washington – Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson is expected to announce his resignation today, according to people familiar with the matter, a decision that will deal a blow to the Bush administration’s efforts to tackle the housing crisis.
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The exact reasons for Mr. Jackson’s decision couldn’t be learned.
Mr. Jackson, has consistently denied any improper behavior while leading HUD.
Mr. Jackson’s most-recent problems stem from a Philadelphia redevelopment deal. The city’s housing authority has filed a lawsuit charging that Mr. Jackson tried to punish the agency for blocking a deal involving a friend of his.
in 2006, HUD’s inspector general investigated remarks made by Mr. Jackson that some interpreted to mean that contracts were awarded in some cases based on political affiliation. The report didn’t find any wrongdoing at the agency.
“Why should I reward someone who doesn’t like the president, so they can use funds to try to campaign against the president?” Mr. Jackson was quoted as saying in the Dallas Business Journal. “Logic says they don’t get the contract. That’s the way I believe.” [wsj]
Last year Mr. Jackson was the one who blocked the sale of Starrett City to Jewish real estate magnate David Bistricer of Brooklyn, NY