WASHINGTON - Adrianne Todman, the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), issued a statement on the Juneteenth national holiday.

“The Juneteenth National Holiday marks the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, some two years after the end of the Civil War. It is both an acknowledgment of the unjust nature of slavery and a celebration of the triumph of liberty in this country," said Todman.

She added, “When President Biden made Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021, he invited us to do two things: celebrate and reflect. As we gather to mark the holiday this year, let’s all take a moment to both celebrate how far we have come in the ongoing fight for equality and justice, and also reflect on how far we have yet to go when it comes to ensuring there is equitable access to America’s promise."

Todman highlighted progress over the past three years towards advancing equal access to affordable housing, capital for community development, and wealth-building opportunities such as first-time homeownership and fair home appraisals. She acknowledged that more work remains but emphasized that "the Biden-Harris Administration continues to take the steps necessary to ensure access and hope for generations to come.”