On January 20, 2026, Assistant Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Joseph DeFelice, was invited by the Greater Philadelphia Asian American Business Alliance (AABAGP) to introduce HUD’s latest developments and their impact on the Greater Philadelphia area to local residents and businesses at the South Village Restaurant in University City.
Apart from providing national oversight and guidance for on-the-ground operations across the United States to support HUD’s efforts in expanding affordable housing supply, promoting community revitalization, and creating more housing opportunities for residents in rural, tribal, and urban communities, DeFelice also serves as the Regional Administrator for the Mid-Atlantic region (Region III), overseeing the work in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
DeFelice highlighted various housing and urban development policies offered by HUD, encouraging people to take full advantage of the opportunities provided. One of which is the Section 3 program, aimed at improving the efficiency of HUD projects and reducing red tape. Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, requiring entities receiving certain federal housing and community development funds to provide employment training, job opportunities, and contracting preferences for low-income residents and businesses in their communities. It prioritizes providing these opportunities to low and very low-income individuals, especially public housing residents, to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.
DeFelice also mentioned the “Opportunity Zones” program, which incentivizes investment in underserved communities in the United States by both private and public sectors. “Opportunity Zones” refer to economically distressed communities nominated by state governors and authorized for certification by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to receive new investments with tax benefits under specific conditions. There are a total of 8,764 Opportunity Zones in the U.S., with many areas lacking investments for decades. Pennsylvania and Philadelphia have multiple Opportunity Zones awaiting investment.
DeFelice welcomed everyone to visit www.hud.gov for detailed information. HUD stated on social media on January 17 that “the average long-term mortgage rate in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level in over three years… last time the average rate was lower than it is now was on September 15, 2022.” “President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office on January 20, 2025, aiming to lower housing costs and expand housing supply. Since then, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has helped over a million Americans reduce housing costs.”
Thomas J. Rossomando, Regional Affairs Director of the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), also shared how SBA helps in the development of small businesses. The Office of Advocacy of the SBA, established by Congress in 1976, is an independent agency within the executive branch representing small businesses, assisting in formulating plans and policies to support the growth of small businesses.
The meeting was hosted by David Oh, Chairman of the Board of AABAGP and former Philadelphia City Councilmember. Other attendees included Bruce Trimmer, representing the Southeast region of Pennsylvania for Senator Dave McCormick, and Carlyn D. Crawley, Chief of Staff for Philadelphia Councilmember Quetcy Lozada. Deputy Secretary DeFelice expressed willingness to collaborate with government officials at all levels and small businesses to jointly support economic and housing development in the Philadelphia area.