Pamela Patenaude was confirmed by the Senate yesterday to serve as deputy secretary of HUD, by a vote of 80–17.
During the confirmation hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Patenaude stressed the need to serve the country's neediest population.
While many Democrats voiced their concerns about HUD's budget cuts under the Trump administration's proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, Patenaude was able to earn bipartisan support. She did so while maintaining support for President Trump's budget and emphasizing the need to create agency efficiency and engage in public–private partnerships.
In addition to previously serving as HUD assistant secretary for community, planning and development, Patenaude has also served as president for the J. Ronald Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America's Families, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center Housing Commission, and adviser to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
Sen. Jeanne Sheehan (D-N.H.) took note of Patenaude's extensive experience with the housing industry and praised her ability to "bring together disparate groups for bipartisan solutions."
National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) president Ron Williams also lauded Patenaude's extensive experience, "NALHFA congratulates Deputy Secretary Patenaude and is committed to working with her to continue strengthening and enhancing affordable housing programs across the country," Williams said in a statement. "Her extensive knowledge of housing issues and experience working for HUD under two previous administrations will bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the department."
