Closing Orlando HUD Office "Unacceptable" Says US Rep. Brown
Thursday, April 25, 2013
By: Matthew Peddie

April 25th, 2013 | WMFE- The Department of Housing and Urban Development's decision to close offices in Orlando and Tampa is drawing criticism from US Representative Corinne Brown. The Jacksonville Democrat says the department should have consulted Central Florida stakeholders before deciding to close the offices.

[Image: US Rep. Corrine Brown]

The US department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday that it would close 16 of its 80 field offices- including offices in Tampa and Orlando- saving up to 150 million dollars over the next ten years.

Corrine Brown, who represents Florida’s 5^th Congressional District, said it’s unacceptable.

“No office in Central Florida-  how do you make that decision when we’re number two in foreclosures in the country, when we have the number of veterans we do?" said Congresswoman Brown.

"What metrics did you use, what stakeholders did you talk to?” she added. 

Brown said she wants to meet with the HUD secretary to talk about keeping the offices open.

HUD says up to 120 employees nationwide will be affected by the closures.  Offices in Jacksonville and Miami will remain open under the restructuring plan, which is slated to take effect later this year.