Considered a leading expert in both Public Housing and Community Development programs, Kurtz has spent his professional career working in the affordable housing industry at the state, local, and federal levels. Most recently, Kurtz served as the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing (PIH) at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he was responsible for ensuring safe, decent, and affordable housing for the roughly 3.5 million families participating in HUD’s public housing and Native American housing programs. As the head of PIH during the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the industry through one of its most challenging and consequential times. Kurtz has held several other roles at HUD, including Community Planning and Development Specialist, Senior Advisor, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary. He served as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House, and, in addition to his federal service, the Deputy Director of the City of Detroit’s Department of Housing and Revitalization, playing a key role in the rebirth of a great American city.