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NEW YORK, NY April 01, 2008 — The resignation of the federal Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has some New York politicians expressing relief at his departure.

U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who represents the Lower East Side and parts of Brooklyn, accused Jackson of failing to make federal housing vouchers called Section 8, a priority. She said under his tenure, HUD had been "asleep at the switch".

Sen. Hillary Clinton was also critical, saying Jackson's tenure was marked by cronyism and corrupt contracting practices.

In a recent lawsuit, the Pennsylvania Housing Authority accused Jackson of punishing local officials after they refused to transfer land to a friend of his.

In contrast, Sen. Chuck Schumer said he appreciated Jackson's efforts to preserve affordable housing.

Last year, HUD blocked the $1.3 billion sale of a working class housing complex in Brooklyn as well as another similar buyout in Staten Island.

For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.