PEPPLER SWORN-IN AS HUD ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today delivered the oath of office to Susan Peppler to serve as HUD's new Assistant Secretary for the Department's Office of Community Planning and Development. In her new role, Peppler will manage an office within HUD that is charged with supporting community development, increasing access to affordable housing, and helping to house and serve persons who might otherwise be living on the nation's streets.

"Susan comes to HUD with a wealth of hands-on experience in affordable housing and community development," said Preston. "From her days as a grassroots volunteer to her role as Mayor of the City of Redlands, California, Susan Peppler's mission to improve neighborhoods makes her a perfect fit here at HUD."

Peppler said, "I realize there is a short amount of time in which my colleagues and I can affect positive change but rest assured I intend to roll up my sleeves and make a significant contribution with the time I am given."

Most recently, Peppler served as Deputy Associate Administrator in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at the General Services Administration (GSA). Prior to this, she was elected Mayor of the City of Redlands, California where she focused her energies on improving the City's affordable and multi-family housing stock. During her tenure, the City began cracking down on absentee owners whose properties had fallen into disrepair and substandard condition. Through enforcement of building and safety codes, including placing non-responsive owners' properties in receivership, neighborhoods in Redlands showed measurable improvement. Peppler also served on the Governor's Task Force on Affordable Housing and as the League of California Cities' Director of Housing, Inland Empire Division.

Earlier in her career, Peppler served as a Public Affairs Specialist at State Farm Insurance Company. Ms. Peppler received her bachelor's degree from California State University. Peppler and her husband have two children and two grandchildren.

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