WhoRunsGov

Sandra Henriquez

Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (since June 2009)

(Department of Housing
and Urban Development)

Why She Matters

When Henriquez started work at the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) in the late 1970s, she never ventured into all-white developments because she was afraid of being harassed. "I generally didn't walk around unless I was escorted," she told the Boston Globe.

Almost three decades later, Henriquez was able to regularly tour the projects by herself, thanks largely to her work at BHA. When she was named head of the authority in 1996, Henriquez quickly addressed racial tensions brewing at the city's many public-housing properties. She was successful - crime and harassment fell precipitously on her watch.

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Corrections?
 

At a Glance

  • Career History: CEO, Boston Housing Authority (1996 to 2009); Maloney Properties, Inc. (1986 to 1996)
  • Birthday: Nov. 6, 1949
  • Hometown: Rochester, NY
  • Alma Mater: Boston University, B.A., 1972
  • Spouse: Separated
  • Religion: Methodist
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Henriquez grew up outside of Rochester, NY, and attended Boston University, where she earned her BA in 1972.

After graduating, Henriquez began working for a property company, where managed her own building. In 1977, Henriquez joined the Court Monitor of the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) as it was about to go into receivership because it had been poorly run.

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The Issues

In her position at HUD, Henriquez will administer nearly $24 billion in housing assistance programs, including partial funding for 3,200 local public-housing and rent-assistance programs. She will also be tasked with addressing the lack of affordable housing for the Native American population and will supervise 1,600 workers.

Henriquez's first priorities at the agency include creating a more transparent public-housing system; establishing better research techniques for studying public housing and leading a national study on needs in the public- housing community.

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The Network

Henriquez will join a handful of former Boston colleagues in Washington. Boston Emergency Management Services Chief Richard Serino is the White House's pick for deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

At HUD, Henriquez will work with Secretary Shaun Donovan, Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research Raphael Bostic, Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John D. Trasvina and Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Mercedes Marquez. She will also work with Larry EchoHawk Pawnee, assistant secretary for Indian affairs at the Department of the Interior.

 

Additional Resources

  1. Mooney, Brian, "Mayor Lauded on City's Race Issues But Top Jobs Are Still Mostly White," The Boston Globe, Oct. 16, 2005
  2. Interview with
  3. "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts," Department of Housing and Urban Development, April 10, 2009
  4. Greenberger, Scott, "BHA Reaches a Milestone in Reducing Racial Bias," The Boston Globe, Feb. 12, 2003
  5. Gelzinis, Peter, "Headed to DC, Saluted in Boston," Boston Herald, July 19, 2009
  6. Greenberger, Scott, "HUD Ratings Improve for City's Public Housing," Boston Globe, July 25, 2003
  7. Washington Post Head Count
  8. Walker, Adrian, "BHA's strides aren't enough," Boston Globe, May 22, 1990
  9. "Nominations," Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, May 13, 2009
  10. "Sandra Henriquez Sworn in as Assistant Secretary for HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing," Department of Housing and Urban Development, June 19, 2009