HUD Hearts Portland

Amy Hsuan of The Oregonian reports on HUD chief Shaun Donovan's visit to the urban planning mecca, where he announced the creation of a new HUD office on sustainable development.

"'We at HUD are big admirers of what you're doing here,' Donovan said.

The new office takes the community values that Portlanders have long held dear to the federal level.

Backed by $200 million, the office plans to study smart growth and put money toward helping communities across the country develop mass transit lines near affordable housing -- the type of urban planning Portland has practiced for years."

Local housing officials welcomed this new policy as a way forward, and also recognized the importance of bringing HUD's reform measures not only to inner cities, but also to struggling suburban communities.