Evidence Act Officials

As required by the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 ("Evidence Act"), signed into law on January 14, 2019, HUD has designated the following Key Senior Officials:

• Chief Data Officer (Acting): Todd Richardson, General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research
• Evaluation Officer: Calvin Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Research Evaluation and Monitoring, Office of Policy Development and Research
• Statistical Official: Lydia Taghavi, Director, Open Data Division, Chief Data Office, Office of Policy Development and Research

The Evidence Act emphasizes the importance of using data and evidence to inform policy decisions. It mandates federal agencies, including HUD, to appoint key officials responsible for data governance, evaluation, and statistical activities. These officials play crucial roles in promoting a culture of evidence-based policymaking within the agency.

The Chief Data Officer is responsible for overseeing HUD's data governance and data management strategies, ensuring the quality and accessibility of the department's data assets. The Evaluation Officer leads the agency's efforts in conducting rigorous program evaluations to assess the effectiveness of HUD's programs and initiatives. The Statistical Official ensures the integrity and reliability of HUD's statistical data, supporting informed decision-making through accurate and comprehensive economic analysis.

Through the leadership of these key officials, HUD is committed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making to better serve the public and achieve its mission.

For more information about the Evidence Act and HUD's implementation of evidence-based policymaking, please visit the full text of the Evidence Act.