FY 2015 Conference Spending

(reported February 3, 2016)

As part of the Administration's conference transparency initiative, HUD has implemented a departmental conference review, approval and reporting process to ensure that appropriated funds are spent properly relative to our essential mission. As part of the Campaign to Cut Waste (CCW) and other management initiatives, managers throughout the department are thoroughly evaluating ways to leverage technology when possible and maximize the benefit from the expenditures on conferences and travel. To this end, HUD has also increased the use of webcasts and online trainings in place of in person conferences and meetings.

HUD's conference process includes input from within HUD and from our constituents on the required training and information exchange that is best accomplished in person. With proper internal controls, HUD's leadership is confident that we will continue to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

On May 11, 2012, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum-12-12 (www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/memoranda/2012/m-12-12_0.pdf) "Promoting Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations" (M-12-12). HUD provides information on conferences, as defined in footnote (4) of M-12-12:

4"Conference" is defined in this memorandum as it is in the FTR, as "[a] meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium or event that involves attendee travel. The term 'conference' also applies to training activities that are considered to be conferences under 5 CFR 410.404." See 41 CFR 300-3.1.

HUD is reporting on each conference sponsored by HUD during the prior fiscal year (FY) where US Government appropriated funds were expended in excess of $100,000.

Conferences in excess of $500,000

During the FY ended September 30, 2015 (FY 2015), HUD did not sponsor any conferences which expended appropriated federal funds in excess of $500,000.

Conferences in excess of $100,000

Three events sponsored by HUD during FY 2015 meet the definition of "conference" above and incurred the expenditure of appropriated funds in excess of $100,000. The following information is presented, per the guidance in M-12-12, for this conference:

  • sponsoring HUD program office
  • conference name
  • location
  • date
  • total number of individuals whose travel expenses or other conference expenses were paid by HUD
  • total conference expenses incurred
  • brief explanation how the conference advanced HUD's mission

Listing of HUD FY 2015 Sponsored Conferences Over $100k

Program Office
The link to each program office home page is provided below

Conference (Name, Location and Date)

 Number of Payees Total Conference Expenses

How the Conference Advanced the Mission of the Agency

Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH)

PIH Office of Field Operations (OFO) Directors Training Conference

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Date: July 20-23, 2015

112

$169,203

OFO conducted Network Business Meetings, an opportunity for PIH/OFO leadership to introduce, implement and further share OFO's Public Housing Authority oversight, monitoring and operational strategy using a risk based approach, and to discuss key program and systems updates, resources, accomplishments and team expectations.

Office of General Counsel (OGC)

OGC 2015 Field Managers Training Session

Location: Washington, DC

Date: July 26-31, 2015

50 travelers

105 participants

$105,824

This annual event provides substantive and managerial training and essential information to OGC managers who direct the work of attorneys and Departmental Enforcement Center staff. The seminar provides continuing legal education credits so that HUD attorney managers can meet professional bar license requirements. The training included CLE credits on third party interests in federally assisted and insured properties and Rental Assistance Demonstration transactions; the history of residential segregation in the United States and the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule; OGC operational changes and impacts from the Multifamily Housing Transformation; and management training on organizational climate and culture.

Ginnie Mae

3rd Annual Ginnie Mae Summit 2015

Location: Arlington, VA

Date: September 21-22, 2015

0

$160,000

With 550 attendees representing Ginnie Mae's active issuers; other US Government entities such as FHFA, OCC, VA, and RHS; investors in Ginnie Mae's MBS including delegations from Japan and China; trade organizations such as the National Association of Mortgage Bankers, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders; and, 40-50 HUD headquarters-based employees; this 2015 Summit was leveraged to:

  • Fulfill some of the essential elements of Ginnie Mae's charter: being visible in the market constantly, responding appropriately to the private capital market, and providing ongoing assistance to the secondary markets.
  • Provide assurance to the market, both domestically and globally, that allows us to attract global capital.
  • Offer an in-depth curriculum which continues to help our business partners develop in the areas that they find most challenging such as the future of servicing and the growing number of non-bank servicers who issue Ginnie Mae securities.
  • Deliver training for our active issuers providing important updates on safety and soundness concerns for issuers and explaining new risk measures that Ginnie Mae has already implemented or is considering.
  • Provide a forum for Ginnie Mae and HUD leaders to talk to issuers, investors and other stakeholders to discuss Ginnie Mae's role in the secondary market.

During October of 2011 the HUD Deputy Secretary implemented M-11-35. HUD's executive team has been personally involved in the review and approval of both HUD sponsored and non-HUD sponsored conferences. The General Deputy Assistant Secretary (GDAS) (or equivalent) in each program and administrative office authorizes each conference expenditures for their organization. For any conference over $20k, the GDAS also requested two additional approvals from the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and the Deputy Secretary. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer serves as the single channel for both these approvals and reporting.

Conferences are an important component of our mission critical activity. Through these efforts we continue to reduce spending and properly prioritize the limited funding available.

Please visit the conference reporting website of HUD Office of the Inspector General (www.hudoig.gov/reports-publications/conference-expenditures) for the conference reporting by HUD OIG.

 
 
Content Archived: February 3, 2025