November 21 , 2008

Contact: Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org

NeighborWorks® America Honors HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Housing/FHA Commissioner Brian D. Montgomery
with the 2008 Government Service Award for Meritorious Service

Boston –Today NeighborWorks America announced that Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is the recipient of the 2008 NeighborWorks Government Service Award for Meritorious Service. The NeighborWorks Government Service Award is an honor that recognizes elected or appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of the people in their communities through support for affordable housing and community development.

“Commissioner Montgomery has shown an unwavering commitment to and support for public policies that advance community revitalization goals,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “His leadership has helped transform communities and we are proud to honor him for his invaluable service.” 

As Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, Commissioner Montgomery has been one of the nation’s leading voices on housing issues. One of Commissioner Montgomery’s primary responsibilities at HUD has been the modernization of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Under his leadership, FHA has been an important part of the federal government’s national response to the current economic and mortgage crisis. In 2007, Commissioner Montgomery introduced FHASecure, a new mortgage product designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure refinance into safer, more secure FHA loans. And, as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, he assumed responsibility for FHA’s new HOPE for Homeowners program, which expanded FHA’s efforts to provide aid to struggling families trapped in mortgages they currently cannot afford. 

In addition to overseeing FHA and its $400 billion insurance portfolio, Commissioner Montgomery has been actively involved in the preservation of affordable multifamily rental housing, achieved primarily through mortgage insurance as well as flexible refinancing options. Commissioner Montgomery has also worked extensively with Hurricane Katrina disaster victims, having chaired HUD’s Hurricane Recovery Response Center, and helped to coordinate and secure temporary and long-term housing for affected Gulf residents in 2005. Finally, Commissioner Montgomery is the HUD Secretary’s designee to the Board of NeighborWorks America, where he currently serves as Chair of the Corporate Administration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. 

Past NeighborWorks Government Service Award honorees have achieved substantive accomplishments that include initiating and implementing public policies and programs that strengthen communities or expand the supply of affordable housing. They are in touch with their constituents – listening to their opinions and working with them to implement strategies and policies that succeed. Their demonstrated commitment and dedication make them stand out as leaders in touch with the people they serve.

Wade commended Commissioner Montgomery for understanding the far-reaching impact of housing issues on individuals, the local economy and the entire nation.

“The commitment demonstrated by Commissioner Montgomery at the federal government level is ever more important given today’s challenges in the housing and financial market,” said Wade. “Commissioner Montgomery and the rest of the 2008 honorees recognize the cross-cutting impact of community development efforts that create healthy, vibrant communities all are proud to call home.”

For more information about the NeighborWorks Government Service Awards and the 2008 awardees, please visit www.nw.org/network/neighborworksProgs/awards, or contact Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org.

About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.