The Assistant Secretary for Housing, who also carries the title Federal Housing Commissioner, is a position within the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government...

. The Assistant Secretary is responsible for overseeing the $400 billion Federal Housing Administration

Federal Housing Administration

The Federal Housing Administration is a United States government agency created as part of the National Housing Act of 1934. It insured loans made by banks and other private lenders for home building and home buying...

 insurance portfolio. He or she also oversees the Department of Housing and Urban Development's regulatory responsibilities in the areas of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act , was an act passed by the United States Congress in 1974. It is codified at Title 12, Chapter 27 of the United States Code, .- Purpose :...

, the housing mission of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the manufactured housing industry.

The Federal Housing Commissioner is appointed by the President

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

 and confirmed by the United States Senate

United States Senate

The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...

. The Assistant Secretary is third in the order of succession for the office of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The Assistant Secretary is paid at level IV of the Executive Schedule, meaning he or she receives a basic annual salary of $143,000. The incumbent Federal Housing Commissioner is Brian D. Montgomery

Brian D. Montgomery

Brian D. Montgomery is the former Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, within the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was confirmed to the position in February 2005, and resigned in July 2009...

, who was confirmed in February 2005. The previous Federal Housing Commissioner was John C. Weicher.