February 19, 2009
By Executive Order, President Barack Obama created the White House Office of Urban Affairs. According to the Executive Order creating the office, "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 that affect our cities. A more comprehensive approach is needed, both to develop an effective strategy for urban American and to coordinate the actions of the man executive departments and agencies whose actions impact urban life."
The order goes on to state that the office will "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 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."
