HUD USES SOCIAL MEDIA TO CONNECT WITH PUBLIC AND INCREASE TRANSPARENCY
Americans can now communicate with HUD in numerous ways that are easy and convenient

WASHINGTON - In an effort to better serve the American people, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has embraced social media and streamlined its Web site contact tools to facilitate open communication and total transparency.

"When you are seeking information, nothing is more frustrating than not being able to contact someone who can help you get answers to your questions," said HUD's web communications architect, Eileen Coleman. "We believe that communication and transparency are vital, and we are continuously working to improve our communication methods."

As the new generation of information seekers primarily accesses news and other content through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, HUD deemed it essential that the Department get up to speed on today's popular channels of communication. After all, 50 percent of Facebook's 400 million users log on every day, according to Facebook. Furthermore, while only 21 percent of Twitter's 19 million users are active, that's still 3,990,000 people to reach, according to Mashable.com, a respected social media news blog.

HUD also created its own Youtube channel, which currently features Lead Free Kids, a collaborative effort with the Ad Council about lead-based paint, and a short informational video about fair housing. Users access 2 billion videos a day on YouTube, according to the site.

Ultimately, the proof is in the numbers and in the preferences of the American people. So, stay connected with HUD via RSS (really simple syndication) Feeds (http://www.hud.gov/rss/index.cfm), the HUD Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HUD), HUD Twitter (http://twitter.com/hudgov), the HUD Youtube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/HUDchannel), the HUD wiki (http://www.hud.gov/wiki) and the recently launched HUD Mobile site (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUDMobile).

• RSS Feeds (http://www.hud.gov/rss/index.cfm)
• HUD Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HUD)
• HUD Twitter (http://twitter.com/hudgov)
• HUD Youtube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/HUDchannel)
• HUD wiki (http://www.hud.gov/wiki)
• HUD Mobile (https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUDMobile)

Contact the FHA Resource center or get help from HUD staff via contact us web page, accessible from the main navigation bar on the HUD.gov home page.

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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.