Alphonso Jackson was sworn in as the 13th secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development on April 1, a day after the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination. Jackson served as former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez’ deputy and, subsequently, as interim secretary after Martinez left office to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida. In his acceptance speech, the native Texan promised to continue building on the nation’s homeownership rate, increasing