Alphonso Jackson

Alphonso Jackson
13th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
In office March 31, 2004 – April 18, 2008
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Mel Martinez
Succeeded by	Steve Preston
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Truman State University Washington University School of Law

Alphonso Roy Jackson (born September 9, 1945) served as the 13th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He was nominated by President George W. Bush on January 28, 2004 and confirmed by the Senate on March 31, 2004. Facing several controversies, Jackson announced his resignation on March 31, 2008.

Early life and career

Jackson was born on September 9, 1946, in Marshall, Texas, and grew up in South Dallas as the youngest of twelve children in the family. His mother was a midwife, while his father sometimes worked as many as three jobs—as a foundry worker, janitor, and landscaper—to make ends meet.

Education

Jackson attended Northeast Missouri State University(now called Truman State University) and studied political science there. He also went on to earn a master's degree in education administration from the school in 1969. But instead of taking a teaching job, Jackson enrolled in Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, where he quickly became known as a firebrand. He was an outspoken but articulate proponent for more minority enrollment at the law school, at a time when civil-rights consciousness was helping usher in a new era in America. "I was not very well-liked by most of the professors," he joked in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch interview.

In March 1965, Jackson, then a college freshman, participated in the first civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama that became known as Bloody Sunday.

Early career

Jackson began his professional career in St. Louis, as an assistant professor at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. In 1977 he was named the city's director of public safety. He became executive director of the St. Louis Housing Authority four years later, a job he held until 1983. He left it to work as a consultant to a St. Louis accounting firm and intensified his political activities. Active in both Democratic and Republican circles in the city for many years, he even ran for a spot as St. Louis's municipal revenue collector. He also worked for the U.S. Senate campaign of Jack Danforth, a Republican. His rising profile earned him the attention of officials in Washington, and in 1987 he was made the director of the U.S. Department of Public and Assisted Housing for Washington, D.C.

Dallas Housing Authority

In 1989 Jackson was tapped to take over the Housing Authority of the City of Dallas as its president and chief executive officer. He was the first African American to lead the formerly troubled agency, which had become the target of discrimination lawsuits. In his seven years on the job, Jackson was credited with fixing the problems within the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) and improving conditions for the city's poorest residents, who turned to it for help in a time of need. He worked to improve the run-down buildings and unsafe conditions that had become standard in the city's aging public-housing units, and also arranged deals that improved neighborhood conditions. He managed to find funds for a commercial development project, for example, that brought the first supermarket back to a struggling West Dallas neighborhood in several years.

Jackson's seven-year stint in Dallas was not without its challenges. In 1995 the DHA began implementing a U.S. District Court order that came about after a mid-1980s challenge to desegregate the city's public-housing units. The court order called for 3,200 low-income families to be placed in neighborhoods that were predominantly white, and the agency drew up a plan for new units to be built in a section of North Dallas that was predominantly white. The townhouses or duplexes would house just 75 families, but some 2,000 local homeowners organized to fight it. Jackson fought back with the characteristic mettle that had emerged during those law-school days, targeting one committee organizer from the neighborhood in particular. "I'm not going to accept this nonsense anymore," he asserted in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman 's Stefani G. Kopenec, "so tell him to come with something that's substantive and not the subterfuge for race, because that's what it's coming down to.… They don't want people of color out there. It's simple." Jackson even received threatening phone calls and letters for his stance, and found himself at odds occasionally with the Dallas City Council, some of whom called for his resignation.

Private Sector

In the end, Jackson left the public sector when American Electric Power-TEXAS offered him the president's job in 1996. He ran the Austin-based utility, a company worth $13 billion, for the next five years.

Return to Public Sector

With a new Republican administration in the White House, Jackson was a likely contender for a federal appointment, especially since he had known George W. Bush, the Texas governor declared the winner of the 2000 presidential election, since 1989, when both lived in the same Dallas neighborhood. In early 2001 Jackson's name was approved by Congress to serve as the deputy secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a post that essentially made him second-in-command and chief operating officer of the cabinet department, working under HUD Secretary Mel Martinez.

After Jackson's public service in Washington, DC as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, he was the Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Center for Public Policy and Leadership at Hampton University, Hampton,Virginia from 2008-2012.

Current career

In 2012, Alphonso Jackson became Vice-Chairman of Retail Financial Services with JPMorgan Chase in New York City.

Affiliations

An expert on public housing and urban issues, Jackson has been asked to serve on a number of national and state commissions, most notably the General Services Commission of the State of Texas, where he served as Chairman; the National Commission on America's Urban Families, and the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing. Secretary Jackson has also lent his expertise to numerous nonprofit and corporate boards. He has served on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, Vice Chairman of United Way Campaign(Dallas, Texas), Zale-Lipshy University Hospital, The Cotton Bowl Football Classic, Central Power & Light Company, West Texas Utilities and JPMorgan Chase (formerly Texas Commerce Bank).

Awards and Honors

The Aspen Institute-Aspen Fellow; The National Boys and Girls Clubs of America-Chairman's Award; The National Academy of Achievement-Golden Plate Award; American Family Life Assurance Company(AFLAC)-Lifetime Achievement Award; The Jewish National Fund, New York-National Tree of Life Award; Truman State University-Distinguished Alumni Award; Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.-Distinguished Alumni Award.

Honorary Degrees

Benedict College, Hampton University, Harris Stowe State University; Hiram College; Morehouse College; North Carolina A&T State University; Paine College; Tuskegee University; Texas College; Texas Southern University

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

White House signing of Bill for Rosa Parks statue. The President is joined by, from left to right, U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind., U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson, Mrs. Laura Bush, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.

Jackson first joined the Bush Administration in June 2001 as the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As Deputy Secretary, Jackson managed the day-to-day operations of HUD, which had an annual budget of over $30 billion. After HUD Secretary Mel Martinez left the administration to campaign for the November 2004 election for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida, Jackson became acting secretary of HUD. He was nominated by President George W. Bush on January 28, 2004 to take that position on a permanent basis, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on March 31, 2004. Jackson was the fourth African American to hold that post. On March 31, 2008, Jackson announced his resignation, effective April 18, 2008.

HUD Removal from High Risk List

For the first time in thirteen years, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) removed HUD from the government's " high-risk" list. GAO's report recognized HUD's progress under Secretary Alphonso Jackson's leadership in implementing management controls that led to significant improvements to HUD departments and programs. Jackson stated, " HUD serves the nation best when all its programs are working effectively and efficiently. GAO's removal of a high risk designation shines a bright light on our efforts over the past six years to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and well."

Press conference at the White House discussing financial crisis, left to right, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson, President George W. Bush and U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson.

Reduction in Homelessness

During Jackson's tenure at HUD, HUD announced an 11.5% reduction in the number of persons reported as chronically homeless by Continuums of Care (CoCs) during a one-day count. Over 1,500 cities and counties reported a combined decrease of over 20,000 fewer chronically homeless persons between 2005 and 2006.

One important tool in this effort was HUD's first-ever Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. This groundbreaking survey of homelessness found that 704,000 people nationwide sought shelter at least once in a three-month period. Through the data collection for the report, and the subsequent analysis of that data, HUD learned a great deal about the demographics of homelessness. Prior to the report,according to Jackson, HUD had a hard time figuring out if national or local programs were working and a tough time just trying to figure out where the homeless might be on a given night.

Controversies

Local Housing Authorities

Philadelphia

In March 2008, The Washington Post reported on a series of emails in early 2007 between HUD assistant secretaries Kim Kendrick and Orlando J. Cabrera that suggested that HUD leadership sought to punish Carl R. Greene, the director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). On the date these e-mails were sent, HUD notified the housing authority that it had been found in violation of rules requiring that 5 percent of housing be accessible to disabled residents. The department later argued that because the authority refused to acknowledge it was in violation and to agree to a specific remedy, it was in violation of a broader agreement that put $50 million in federal funding in jeopardy. Greene asserted that the HUD actions were in retaliation against PHA because Greene had refused to turn over property to Universal Community Homes, a development company founded by Kenny Gamble; Greene said that Universal had not performed as promised. Gamble complained to Jackson about the situation in 2006. On the same date that the emails were sent, HUD notified PHA that it was in violation of rules regarding accessibility for disabled residents.

A federal judge later ruled for HUD, that Jackson did not treat Philadelphia differently than other local housing agencies. On October 16, 2008, the Philadelphia Housing Authority signed a ten year agreement with HUD. PHA said that over the next four years it would make sure 760 units of housing were upgraded to be fully accessible for people with disabilities.

San Francisco-Removal of local official

A former regional director for HUD, Richard Mallory, alleged that Jackson fired him in February 2002 for looking into corruption at the dysfunctional San Francisco Housing Authority. Mallory claimed that Jackson was close friends with San Francisco's mayor at the time, and that Jackson blocked HUD's attempts to force the city's payment of money owed to the federal government. The previous holder of Mallory's position, John Phillips, was transferred to another office after he voiced concern over corrupt practices in the Housing Authority.

Government contracts

On April 28, 2006, Jackson spoke at a meeting in Dallas and addressed the subject of government contracting. He recounted that a prospective HUD contractor had made a "heck of a proposal" and was selected upon the basis of that proposal, but upon thanking Secretary Jackson for being selected the bidder, mentioned that he did not like President Bush. As a result, Jackson said, the bidder who had criticized Bush did not receive the contract: "Brother, you have a disconnect — the President is elected, I was selected. You wouldn’t be getting the contract unless I was sitting here. If you have a problem with the President, don’t tell the secretary." Jackson told the crowd, "He didn't get the contract. Why should I reward someone who doesn't like the president, so they can use funds to try to campaign against the President? Logic says they don't get the contract. That's the way I believe."

After Jackson's comment, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called for Jackson to resign. Jackson claimed to have made up the story, saying, "I lied," when speaking with investigators. An inspector general's report later said that Jackson "personally intervened with contractors whom he did not like . . . these contractors had Democratic political affiliations," however no direct proof was found that Jackson's staff obeyed. According to the report, former aides to Jackson said he instructed them to give supporters of President Bush "special consideration." One former aide quoted Jackson as saying "it drives him nuts" when contractors who criticized Bush wanted consideration for government contracts. The investigation found "no evidence that a contract was canceled, rescinded, terminated or not issued."

In October 2007, the National Journal reported that the FBI, the Department of Justice, and HUD's inspector general were conducting another investigation, regarding whether Jackson had misled Congress when he testified to the Senate that he "didn't touch contracts." In one case, allegations were raised that Jackson had arranged a contract for his friend and golfing partner William Hairston to work on the New Orleans Housing Authority in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The job, which was not subject to competitive bids, paid Hairston more than $485,000 over 18 months. Hairston stated that Jackson did assist in helping him get the position. As Hairston said in an interview, since the agency was struggling and in need of a construction manager for work on damaged housing units, Jackson asked him to "go to New Orleans and help them out." In another instance, concern arose over Atlanta lawyer and Jackson friend Michael Hollis. A National Journal story wrote that Hollis appeared to have received about $1,000,000 for overseeing the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, and that multiple sources described Hollis as not having any experience in running such an agency.

The U.S. Department of Justice conducted an investigation into accusations that Jackson improperly directed federal contracts to personal associates of his. On April 30, 2010 the Justice Department announced it would not be pursuing charges against Jackson. Mr. Jackson’s lawyers said they had argued to prosecutors that rather than improperly steering contracts to friends, Mr. Jackson had been seeking to increase minority participation in HUD contracts. Another lawyer stated that the Justice Department had been unable to find evidence that Mr. Jackson received any benefit in exchange for his office’s recommendations and that “when that quid pro quo is missing, it takes away any motivation for improper steering.”

Countrywide Financial loan

In June 2008, Conde Nast Portfolio reported that Jackson, along with several other politicians and government officials, had received below-rate loans from Countrywide Financial as part of the company's "V.I.P." program. One loan was issued to refinance Jackson's townhouse in Virginia, while another was for the purchase of a vacation home on a South Carolina golf course. Jackson denied knowledge of any discounts on the loans.

According to the financial writer, David Fiderer, the source for the "Portfolio" magazine article, a former Countrywide employee, offered no written backup and made up some facts to bolster the story. Portfolio, desperate to uncover a "scandal," took his word for it. In fact, there was written documentation disproving the assertions. But since the employee did not reveal that information, Portfolio was able to maintain plausible deniability. Nothing in the paperwork suggested that anyone was paying a below-market interest rate on his loan. "The Countrywide Lineup.”

The US Senate Select Committee on Ethics found in 2009 that there was "evidence on the record that the discounts offered to V.I.P.s and F.O.A.s were not the best deals that were available at Countrywide or in the marketplace at large." The Committee further noted, "participation in the V.I.P. or F.O.A. programs did not necessarily mean that borrowers received the best financial deal available either from Countrywide or other lenders." The report concluded, however, that the V.I.P. program did appear to offer discounts to participants.

Media Appearances

• Jackson and NYCHA Chairman Tino Hernandez appeared at the Clinton Foundation Initiave for 'Green' Public Housing to work with the Clinton Foundation and the City of New York to make public housing energy-efficient.

• Stuart Varney interviewed Jackson on Fox News' Your World with Neil Cavuto to discuss the RESPA(Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act)

• He appeared on CNBC's Kudlow and Company to discuss FHA loans.

External links

• HUD Department biography