BETHESDA, Md., July 06, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that Frank Cassidy has rejoined the firm as a senior managing director following his tenure as commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and assistant secretary for housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Cassidy returns to Walker & Dunlop as the commercial real estate industry responds to evolving federal housing policies, persistent affordability challenges, and increasing demand for capital to expand the nation’s housing supply.
In his role, Cassidy will advise clients on FHA and Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) financing strategies and work across the firm’s platform to help owners, developers, lenders, and investors navigate a changing policy and capital markets environment.
“Frank returns to Walker & Dunlop at a defining moment in the housing industry,” said Sheri Thompson, EVP, head of Affordable Housing at Walker & Dunlop. “Our country continues to face a significant housing shortage, and collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to delivering more affordable and workforce housing. Frank’s leadership at HUD and deep understanding of FHA programs will be critical in helping clients navigate the evolving finance landscape.”
Cassidy joined HUD in April 2025. As FHA commissioner and assistant secretary for housing, he led HUD’s housing policies, programs, and operations supporting homebuyers, renters, homeowners, and communities nationwide. He oversaw the FHA’s approximately $2 trillion single-family, multifamily, and healthcare mortgage insurance portfolio, serving more than eight million homeowners, approximately 1.5 million renters, and nearly 4,000 healthcare facilities across the United States and its territories.
During his tenure, HUD reduced all FHA multifamily mortgage insurance premiums to the statutory minimum of 25 basis points, eliminated the Green Mortgage Insurance Premium category and related reporting requirements, simplified multifamily mortgage insurance programs, and launched the Section 232 Express Lane initiative, providing priority processing for eligible low-risk residential healthcare facility financing applications. Cassidy also oversaw HUD’s Multifamily Assisted Housing Portfolio, serving more than 1.2 million low-income residents, along with the agency’s housing counseling program and federal standards governing the design and construction of manufactured housing.
“Serving at HUD gave me the opportunity to help shape housing policy during an important period for our country’s history,” Cassidy said. “I’m excited to return to Walker & Dunlop and work alongside our talented team to deliver the financing solutions our clients need to increase housing supply, improve affordability, and connect public policy with private capital.”
