EDWARD JENNINGS, JR. SWORN IN AS HUD'S SOUTHEAST REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

ATLANTA - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims today swore in Edward
L. Jennings, Jr. as HUD's Regional Administrator serving the eight states in the Southeast Region including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as, Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands.

As Regional Administrator, Jennings will lead over 1200 employees in the largest HUD region in the nation encompassing over 64 million people and 380,000 square miles. Jennings will also serve as HUD's liaison to mayors,
city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, Congressional delegations, private and non-profit affordable housing developers, stakeholders and customers. He will oversee the delivery of HUD programs and
services to communities and evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness. Jennings is one of 10 regional directors in
the United States.

"I am both humbled and excited at the prospect of leading one of the most dynamic regions in the nation especially during these most challenging times," said Jennings. "HUD's role in the daily lives of literally millions is increasing as
are our efforts to work seamlessly with other federal, state and local agencies to make a difference in communities throughout the region and nation."

"Ed's decision to join us at HUD could not have come at a better time," said Sims. "He provides the strong vision, leadership and innovation coupled with real world experience that the Obama Administration and HUD are looking
for especially in a region as diverse and challenging as the Southeast. I have full confidence that he will be able
to develop strong synergies of effort among those partners and stakeholders that are so critical to improving and transforming HUD and our ability to serve our communities."

A fifth generation Floridian and son of the former Mayor of Gainesville, Jennings served as a State Representative
from 2000-2006 where he worked to expand access to health care, employment, transportation, and was a staunch affordable housing advocate to underserved communities. As founder of Jennings Development Group, Inc., he
helped to develop hundreds of units of affordable housing and to promote economic and community development in Gainesville.

Prior to accepting the appointment as HUD Regional Director, Jennings served in the Florida House of
Representatives. Throughout his legislative career, he served on various committees including the Vice Chair of Community Colleges and Workforce Development; Commerce Council; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee; and the Insurance Committee. He also served as the Chair of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators and the board of directors for the National Conference of Black State Legislators.

Jennings founded his development firm 12 years ago which has become an economic vehicle for revitalizing East Gainesville. As a business leader seeking to make a significant impact in his community, Jennings served on the
boards of the: Alachua County Public Schools Foundation, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Builder's
Association of North Central Florida and African American Accountability Alliance. He has garnered numerous civic
and professional honors for his community and legislative contributions. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Florida, where he is also served as President of Florida's
most prestigious leadership honorary, Florida Blue Key.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.