Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Obama Administration’s top housing official was in Portland Thursday to announce the creation of a new federal office focused on sustainability.

Flanked by Governor Ted Kulongoski and Mayor Sam Adams, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan noted that the green initiative is familiar ground in Oregon.

He told OPB it’s now a key priority for multiple federal agencies.

Shaun Donovan: “This is the office that’s going to lead all of the work that we’re doing, both within HUD and across the federal governenment, in Department of Transportation, EPA, the Department of Energy, in trying to make both our buildings and our communities, more livable.”

Donovan says HUD’s new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities will emphasize connecting jobs, housing, and a clean energy economy.

The Department of Transportation has also announced a new Office of Livable Communities.

Secretary Donovan is joining Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in Seattle to discuss the new offices.