BILL BLOCK STEPS DOWN AS HUD'S NORTHWEST REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSITIONS TO ADVISOR ON HOMELESSNESS

SEATTLE - After nearly two years, Bill Block, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Northwest Regional Administrator, is stepping down from his current position and assuming another key role at HUD focused on ending homelessness.

As HUD's point person in Washington State, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, Block managed and coordinated the delivery of HUD programmatic and financial support in housing, community and economic development to more than 70 housing authorities, 227 Federally-recognized tribes and Alaskan native villages, 59 state, county and local governments and more than 400 homeless assistance projects. Working with his team, he also oversaw the provision of subsidized housing to more than 180,000 low-income households in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.

"It has been a privilege and an honor to serve with some of the most passionate, committed public servants I've ever met," said Block. "I'll always look upon this opportunity to serve as Regional Administrator with fondness and it will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for me. Now, because of a health concern, it's time for me to pull back a little on the reins. I'm fortunate in that I get to return to my roots, ending homelessness, while still working with a HUD team that I care dearly about."

In his new role as an Advisor on homelessness, Block will assist HUD's national efforts to end homelessness, continuing and expanding on his work in the field to end chronic and veteran homelessness.

Block began his tenure at HUD on November 18, 2013, succeeding Mary McBride who now serves as HUD's Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management.

"Few individuals are as accomplished or as service-oriented as Bill Block," said McBride. "His departure as an RA will be deeply felt within the agency. Bill has worked tirelessly with regional stakeholders to end homelessness, expand affordable housing resources and preserve public housing throughout Region 10. We're pleased that Bill accepted our offer to stay on as an advisor on homelessness to add bench strength and an additional focus on one of the Department's premier issues."

Prior to coming to HUD, Mr. Block led a private law practice focused on complex real estate transactions on behalf of both private and public entities in the state of Washington. He also served as the Director of the Committee to End Homelessness, coordinating the efforts of some 70 local government, non-profit and for-profit entities, faith-based communities, philanthropies and formerly homeless people in implementing the County's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Seattle/King County.

Block also served as Chair of the Seattle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, President of AIDS Housing of Washington (now Building Changes), Chair of the Seattle Center Advisory Commission, Chair of the Low Income Housing Levy Oversight Committee and board member of the Downtown Emergency Service Center and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle/King County.

Deputy Regional Administrator Donna Batch will serve as acting Regional Administrator once Block transitions to his new position.

###

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Castro on Twitter and Facebook or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.