Former Federal Housing Commissioner Weicher Rejoins Hudson

The Honorable John C. Weicher, former Federal Housing Commissioner, has rejoined Hudson Institute to serve as director of a new policy program, the Center for Housing and Financial Markets. The center will analyze policy issues in housing, homeownership, the housing finance system, and related markets.

Weicher, the former Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner (2001-2005), is one of the nation's leading experts in housing policies. At HUD Weicher was responsible for FHA's five million home mortgages and half a trillion dollars of federal mortgage insurance, was "mission regulator" for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and served on the Federal Housing Finance Board, which regulates the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks.

"We are delighted to bring a distinguished economist like John Weicher to Hudson, especially as the country faces the most dramatic housing crisis we have ever faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. John will bring a useful and original perspective to the policy debate," said Hudson Institute CEO Kenneth Weinstein.

"Housing is receiving special attention from policymakers for good reason. We are experiencing record homeownership rates, even among immigrant groups, and record increases in home values. This raises public concern about whether the high level of homeownership can be sustained and whether there is a housing bubble. At the same time, we have to meet an unprecedented challenge in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. I'm very glad to come back to Hudson at this time and address these important issues," Weicher said.

Weicher, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from The University of Chicago, has a distinguished record as both a professional economist and a federal policymaker, specializing in housing and housing finance issues during his entire career. He has previously served as a Presidential appointee at HUD in the administration of President George W. Bush, as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. He also has been chief economist at both HUD and OMB, and has managed research programs in both the government and policy research institutes.

Prior to his appointment by President George W. Bush, Weicher was a senior fellow at Hudson Institute from 1993 to 2001 where he directed the Michigan Urban Policy Initiative. The initiative, which reformed Michigan's property tax reversion system, was enacted with strong bipartisan support and has reduced the number of abandoned houses in Michigan's cities.

Weicher has written or edited a dozen books and has written numerous popular and scholarly articles on housing and related issues. He has testified before Congress more than 50 times, as both a government and a private witness, and was frequently an agency spokesman in media interviews and at conferences.

For an interview with John Weicher, please call 202-974-2420.