HUD to close its Orlando and Tampa offices
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said Wednesday it will close its Orlando and Tampa field offices as part of a restructuring that will eliminate 16 of its 80 local offices nationwide.
The Orlando closing will effect eight employees, who worked with local housing authorities and counselors on programs that included Section 8 rental vouchers, senior-housing assistance and foreclosure guidance. The office on Maguire Boulevard, near downtown Orlando, also handled a steady stream of walk-in traffic, phone calls and emails from residents, homeless persons, real estate agents and multifamily-home developers.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat whose district extends into Orlando, said she was infuriated by the move and had never been more disappointed in President Barack Obama or his administration.
In a letter she wrote to HUD officials, she requested the agency reconsider the closing because the action would "be devastating" to the thousands of Floridians who are still struggling with foreclosure actions or seeking affordable housing.
"Florida is a special case and while this housing crisis continues, these offices and the personnel and assets they bring to the crisis are invaluable," she wrote.
The Jacksonville and Miami HUD offices will remain open and take on responsibilities of the Orlando and Tampa offices.
Under the direction of Buz Ausely, the Orlando HUD field office was responsible for federal housing services in nine counties: Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, St. Lucie, Seminole and Volusia.
Federal officials estimated the overall restructuring will save HUD more than $110 million over 10 years. HUD could not estimate the budget for the Orlando office, which is expected to close in coming months.
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