Raphael Bostic, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will present a public talk titled, "Making Urban Change: Opportunities for Action" at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 9, in Bowl 016, Robertson Hall, on the Princeton University campus. A reception will follow the talk in the Bernstein Gallery.

Bostic was sworn in as HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research (PD&R) on July 16, 2009, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate. As a key member of HUD’s senior leadership, Bostic is the principal advisor to the Secretary on overall Departmental policy, program evaluations, demonstrations, and research.

Bostic leads a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 140 economists, analysts, engineers, architects and social scientists and is responsible for providing economic information and analyses of housing and community development statistics and other data. PD&R performs short- and long-term analysis and evaluations to help the Secretary and other principal staff make informed decisions on HUD policies, programs, as well as budget and legislative proposals. These activities provide the Department and the nation with current information on housing needs, market conditions, and research on important housing and community development issues.

An expert on housing and homeownership, Bostic served as a professor in the University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning, and Development where he examined how credit markets, financing, and policy enhance household access to economic and social amenities. He was Director of USC’s Master of Real Estate Development degree program and was the founding director of the Casden Real Estate Economics Forecast. Prior to that, he worked at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where he was recognized a Special Achievement Award for his performance associated with a review of the Community Reinvestment Act.

This is Bostic’s second tour of duty at HUD. During the Clinton Administration, he served as a special assistant for PD&R Assistant Secretary Susan Wachter.

He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University and his BA from Harvard University.

This event is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and is free and open to the public.