Mercedez Marquez has been confirmed as the Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Marquez will lead HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development, which administers nearly $8 billion in programs designed to stimulate community development and affordable housing, as well as a variety of special needs assistance programs. Marquez previously served as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) and as Vice-President of a national firm specializing in the development and management of urban communities. Marquez also served in the Clinton administration as the Senior Counsel to the Secretary and Deputy General Counsel for Civil Rights and Fair Housing for HUD. Read More…