Executive Order: Establishment of the Office of Urban Affairs

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to take a coordinated and comprehensive approach to developing and implementing an effective strategy concerning urban America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.  About 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas, and the economic health and social vitality of our urban communities are critically important to the prosperity and quality of life for Americans.  Vibrant cities spawn innovation, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the businesses, universities, and civic, cultural, religious, and nonprofit institutions they attract.  Forward-looking policies that encourage wise investment and development in our urban areas will create employment and housing opportunities and make our country more competitive, prosperous, and strong.  In the past, insufficient attention has been paid to the problems faced by urban areas and to coordinating the many Federal programs that affect our cities.  A more comprehensive approach is needed, both to develop an effective strategy for urban America and to coordinate the actions of the many executive departments and agencies whose actions impact urban life.

Sec. 2.  Establishment.  There is established within the Executive Office of the President the White House Office of Urban Affairs (the "Office").

Sec. 3.  Functions.  The principal functions of the Office are, to the extent permitted by law:

(a)  to provide leadership for and coordinate the development of the policy agenda for urban America across executive departments and agencies;

(b)  to coordinate all aspects of urban policy;

(c)  to work with executive departments and agencies to ensure that appropriate consideration is given by such departments and agencies to the potential impact of their actions on urban areas;

(d)  to work with executive departments and agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget, to ensure that Federal Government dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs; and

(e)  to engage in outreach and work closely with State and local officials, with nonprofit organizations, and with the private sector, both in seeking input regarding the development of a comprehensive urban policy and in ensuring that the implementation of Federal programs advances the objectives of that policy. 

White House Press Release

President Barack Obama appointed Adolfo Carrion, Jr., White House Director of Urban Affairs and Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs.

News Stories

White House to Push Forward on National Urban Policy Agenda