Mel Martinez is the nation's 12th Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development. He was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate,
and took his oath of office on January 24, 2001.
In nominating Martinez, President George W. Bush said: "Since leaving
his Cuban homeland as a boy, Mel Martinez has been the embodiment
of the American dream and has had great success in helping the people
of his community obtain affordable housing and urban services."
Martinez's work in the public and private sectors, his active involvement
in community activities, and his understanding of the work of faith-based
social service agencies make him particularly well-suited to serve
as leader of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Under the leadership of Secretary Martinez, HUD is expanding homeownership
opportunities to more Americans, particularly minority and low-income
families, through innovative budget initiatives and partnerships
with community-based housing providers. Martinez has undertaken
a comprehensive process to empower and protect homebuyers, and is
actively working to reform and simplify the homebuying process and
make it less expensive for consumers.
Secretary Martinez is ensuring that HUD - as the federal agency
that oversees the nation's affordable housing and provides housing
assistance for low-income persons - improves the quality and availability
of public housing. The plan by Martinez to stimulate affordable
housing production by increasing FHA multifamily loan limits represents
the first such increase in nearly a decade.
By reactivating the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the
joint homeless task force, Secretary Martinez has brought a new
commitment within HUD to those who have no home to call their own.
Martinez is ensuring that the resources of the federal government
work efficiently together to provide better services to the homeless,
and ultimately, end chronic homelessness.
Martinez brings with him to HUD a new sense of ethics and a focus
on streamlined management. In keeping with the President's management
and performance agenda, Martinez is enhancing the organizational
structure of HUD, strengthening HUD leadership, and improving communication
and coordination - with a focus on results.
As a leader in implementing President Bush's faith-based initiatives,
Secretary Martinez launched HUD's Center for Faith-Based and Community
Services. The Center is working to expand partnerships with local
faith-based service providers who assist the homeless, elderly,
and disabled, and those living with HIV/AIDS.
HUD works with local communities to help them meet their development
needs, and Secretary Martinez has taken a leadership role in the
national dialogue on growth management issues.
Before he came to the Department, Secretary Martinez was the elected
Chairman of Orange County, Florida, in Orlando, and served on the
Governor's Growth Management Study Commission. He previously served
as President of the Orlando Utilities Commission, on the board of
directors of a community bank, and as Chairman of the Orlando Housing
Authority.
Born October 23, 1946, in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, Martinez fled
to America in 1962 as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort called
Operation Pedro Pan that eventually brought 14,000 children to this
country. Catholic charitable groups provided Martinez, who was alone
and spoke virtually no English, a temporary home at two youth facilities.
He subsequently lived with two foster families, with whom he remains
close. He was reunited with his family in Orlando in 1966.
Martinez graduated from Florida State University College of Law
in 1973. During his 25 years of law practice in Orlando, he was
actively involved in community activities. He served as Vice President
of the Board of Catholic Charities of the Orlando Diocese, and has
a deep appreciation for the work of faith-based social service agencies
going back to his arrival in America almost 40 years ago.
Secretary Martinez and his wife have three children and recently
welcomed a second grandchild.
Last updated: September 22, 2003
Content Archived: January 20, 2009