PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has appointed Joseph J. DeFelice as Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Field Policy and Management, as well as Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic Region.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced the appointment, stating, “I am excited to welcome back Joe DeFelice to HUD as we work together to solve housing affordability issues across the country. He has made significant contributions to HUD, and I know he will continue to serve the American people with excellence as we usher in the Golden Age of American homeownership.”
DeFelice previously served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator during President Trump’s first administration. After his initial tenure at HUD, he worked as Senior In-House Counsel at a private commercial developer. His experience in both public service and private development has reinforced his view that collaboration between public and private sectors is essential for lasting progress in housing.
DeFelice holds a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Upon his appointment, DeFelice said, “I am deeply honored to be appointed to HUD a second time and serve under the leadership of Secretary Turner. This opportunity represents not just a continuation of the important work began in 2017, but a renewed commitment to addressing the unfinished business of empowering communities, enhancing self-sufficiency, and breaking the cycle of generational poverty.”
In his new role as Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic Region, DeFelice will oversee HUD programs in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He will also provide national oversight for field operations aimed at expanding affordable housing access and supporting community revitalization efforts across various types of communities.
