Senate Banking Committee approves FHA’s Montgomery for No. 2 position at HUD

In addition to leading the Federal Housing Administration, Brian Montgomery has also served as the interim deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development since January.

But Montgomery is now one big step closer to being the second in command at HUD in an official capacity.

The Senate Banking Committee this week approved Montgomery’s nomination to serve as deputy secretary of HUD by a 20-5 margin.

Montgomery’s nomination now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote from the Senate. If approved by the Senate, Montgomery will take over as HUD deputy secretary in an official capacity.

In October, President Donald Trump nominated Montgomery to be the second in line behind HUD Secretary Ben Carson, but Montgomery has held HUD’s No. 2 spot on an acting basis since January.

Montgomery replaced Pam Patenaude as deputy secretary of HUD after Patenaude announced her resignation just over one year ago.

While serving as interim deputy secretary of HUD, Montgomery also retained his previous roles as FHA commissioner and HUD’s assistant secretary for housing.

Trump nominated Montgomery for his previous roles at HUD in September 2017 and the Senate confirmed him in May 2018.

This is Montgomery’s second term as FHA commissioner. He previously held the job under former President George W. Bush, staying on for six months after former President Barack Obama’s inauguration. 

Montgomery also held a handful of other top positions throughout the government and housing industry, including co-founder and partner at the Collingwood Group, deputy assistant to the president and cabinet secretary, board member on the Federal Housing Finance Board, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 Oversight Board, and NeighborWorks America Board.

“Brian brings tremendous experience to our team and has been a strong voice in the effort to reform the nation’s housing finance system,” Carson said of Montgomery in October. “Brian is a key member of our team and I look forward to having him confirmed as our deputy secretary.”