Runs the FHA, fair housing enforcement, and rental assistance — but doesn’t build or manage most public housing directly.
HUD supports housing affordability, enforces fair housing law, and administers community development grants. Most people encounter it through FHA-backed mortgages, Section 8 rental assistance, or a fair housing discrimination complaint — but local public housing authorities, not HUD itself, run day-to-day operations.
HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
HUD mission statement
What It Does
HUD was created in 1965 to consolidate federal housing programs that had grown up separately across several agencies. The Secretary oversees federal housing finance support, fair housing enforcement, and grants that flow to local governments and public housing authorities — but HUD itself doesn’t own or manage most public housing units.
Backs FHA mortgages
The Federal Housing Administration insures mortgages, making homeownership more accessible with lower down payments.
Administers rental assistance
Section 8 vouchers and public housing programs help low-income households afford rent.
Enforces fair housing law
Investigates housing discrimination complaints based on race, disability, familial status, and other protected classes.
Funds community development
Community Development Block Grants support local infrastructure, housing, and anti-poverty programs.
How It Fits Into Government
A funder and regulator, not a landlord
HUD funds and sets rules for public housing, but local public housing authorities — independent agencies chartered by state or local governments, not HUD itself — actually own and operate most public housing developments and administer Section 8 vouchers day to day. Congress writes the fair housing and public housing statutes HUD enforces, and funds the department’s budget through annual appropriations.
Major Programs
Federal Housing Administration
Mortgage insurance that lowers barriers to homeownership.
- FHA loans
- Mortgage insurance
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Rental assistance vouchers administered through local public housing authorities.
- Rental vouchers
- Income-based assistance
Community Development Block Grant
Flexible federal funding for local housing and infrastructure projects.
- Local grants
- Infrastructure funding
How It Is Checked
Congress
Writes fair housing and public housing statutes, and funds HUD’s budget through annual appropriations.
Courts
Enforce the Fair Housing Act and review HUD rulemaking that exceeds statutory authority.
Public process
Fair housing and lending rules generally go through notice-and-comment before final adoption.
Inspector General
The HUD OIG audits programs and investigates fraud in public housing and FHA lending.
Public Services Visitors May Need
Find housing counselingHUD-approved counselors for buying, renting, or foreclosure prevention.→
Apply for Section 8 assistanceFind your local public housing authority’s waitlist.→
Check FHA loan requirementsDown payment and eligibility rules for FHA-backed mortgages.→
HUD doesn’t manage public housing directly
A common misconception is that HUD itself owns and runs public housing developments and processes every Section 8 application. In practice, local public housing authorities — independently chartered by state or local governments — own the buildings and manage the waitlists, using HUD funding and following HUD rules. Complaints about a specific public housing unit or a local waitlist usually go to that local authority first, not directly to HUD in Washington.
