Neal Rackleff Nominated to Serve as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and Development

(AUSTIN) May 26, 2017 – Neal Rackleff, a Partner in Locke Lord’s Austin office and member of the Firm’s Affordable Housing and Community Development Section, has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Community Planning and Development. Rackleff will begin his post within the Administration, working under HUD Secretary Ben Carson, upon approval by the U.S. Senate.

“Neal has an enviable and highly regarded background of both private and public service, and no doubt will be an excellent leader at HUD,” said Jerry Clements, Chair of Locke Lord. “He has the right experience, the proper demeanor and the hands-on knowledge to help make housing better for citizens of the United States. We could not be prouder.”

Rackleff’s practice has been focused on community and economic development, affordable housing, municipal and public law. He has extensive experience representing business owners, developers and governmental entities in forging public/private partnerships to achieve objectives neither side could accomplish alone.  He handles matters involving federal, state and local governmental entities.  Rackleff has deep experience in tax increment financing, housing tax credits and public infrastructure development through special purpose districts such as municipal utility districts, municipal management districts, public improvement districts and tax increment reinvestment zones.

He previously served as Director of the Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) for the City of Houston from 2012 until July 2016. Rackleff oversaw the city’s community development projects, strategic planning for affordable housing and neighborhood revitalizations. In total, as Director of HCDD, Rackleff led the city’s efforts in financing the production of over 7,800 multifamily housing units and assisted 1,700 single-family homeowners with reconstruction of hurricane damaged homes, financial assistance to low-income homebuyers and emergency home repairs to ameliorate health and safety issues. In addition, under Rackleff’s leadership, Houston chronic homelessness declined by more than 70 percent and the city effectively ended homelessness of veterans.

“I am honored to accept the nomination from President Trump and to be given a platform to serve the American people and their communities,” said Rackleff. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to oversee programs that will help revitalize neighborhoods across the country and provide more affordable housing for low-income families. I am thankful for the support of Locke Lord and, in particular, my colleagues within the Affordable Housing and Community Development Section.”

To view the White House press release announcing Rackleff’s nomination, click here.

About Locke Lord LLP

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