Michael Liu, the Department of Housing and Urban Development official who has overseen Indian housing programs since the start of the Bush administration, is joining the private sector.

Liu, who is from Hawaii, is joining Dutko Woldwide [Company Site] as senior vice president. Dutko is a public policy firm.

As the assistant secretary for public and Indian housing, Liu oversaw a steady decline in Indian housing funds. But he also expanded Indian home loan programs, lifted Clinton-era restrictions on tribal housing programs and worked with tribes to clear up discrepancies in the distribution of self-determination funds.

Liu's pending departure was reported as early as April by Indian Country Today.

Get the Story:
Special Interests: Furthermore . . . [see final item] (The Washinton Post 5/5)
pwpwd
Dutko Worldwide Expands Its Housing Practice With Addition of HUD Assistant Secretary Michael Liu (Dutko 5/3)
Liu out? (Indian Country Today 4/8)

Relevant Links:
Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD - http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih
National American Indian Housing Council - http://naihc.net

Related Stories:
Senators question Bush administration's budget cuts (02/17)
Native veterans question Bush administration budget (02/17)
Official cites 'tight' budget for Indian housing (2/9)
Indian housing funds see no major increase (11/24)
Congress restores Bush's cuts to Indian programs (11/22)
Bush says housing program he's cutting is 'working' (08/12)
Tribes challenge policy affecting federal housing funds (05/04)
Indian housing funds face cuts in Bush budget (04/14)
Tribes tackle budget woes under Bush administration (4/13)
Housing campaign seeks to build 100,000 homes (02/27)
Senate panel shares criticism of Bush budget (02/12)
Tribal leaders pressing Congress on funding (02/11)
Native American Bank offers new mortgage program (01/21)
Indians fight discrimination when renting homes (11/21)
Indian housing funds face more scrutiny (3/4)
Bush budget restricts spending on Indian Country (02/10)
Senate clears new funds for Indian programs (01/24)
Housing scarce for thousands of Indian families (01/22)
Indian housing bill signed into law (11/15)
A busy year for Congress on Indian affairs (10/22)
Senate renews Indian housing law (10/8)
Court rules tribes immune from discrimination law (8/14)
Bush names Liu to Indian housing post (6/22)
Native Corp. to appeal housing denial (6/4)
Alaska Native housing plan rejected (5/29)
Audit: Alaska Native dorm improperly approved (4/17)
HUD Budget: No big benefit for Indian Country (4/12)
Martinez to clean HUD house (2/21)