WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge announced she will step down from her cabinet position on March 22.

Fudge was appointed to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2021. She previously served nine years as mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio and 12 years as Congresswoman representing northeast Ohio, part of which she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus.

Under Fudge, HUD helped 2 million families stay in their homes during the pandemic housing crisis and restored fair housing rules revoked by the Trump administration.

Fudge did not give a clear reason for her departure in a statement, but said she had “mixed emotions” about leaving an agency that serves those often “left behind.”

Fudge told USA Today it was “time to go home” and that she looked forward to being a private citizen again.

In a statement, President Joe Biden called Fudge’s leadership “transformational,” writing, “She has been a strong voice for expanding efforts to build generational wealth through homeownership and lowering costs and promoting fairness for America’s renters.”

The surprise announcement came just days after White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients said all Cabinet members would remain in their positions through 2024.

Fudge visited Akron, Ohio in late February with Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, to address affordable housing efforts in the area.

“We all know that housing is a crisis in America. Unhoused people are a crisis in America today,” Fudge said during the visit. “We have not invested in low-income and moderate-income housing in this country for almost two decades. We are 3 million units of housing short in this country today.”

On Monday Sykes wrote on Fudge’s departure, “Secretary Fudge has been a fierce advocate for Northeast Ohio… A trailblazer, she has shattered glass ceilings at every level of government.”

Several other lawmakers commented on Fudge’s announcement.

Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, who succeeded Fudge in representing Ohio’s 11^th District, wrote in a statement:

“As HUD Secretary, she has been a powerhouse for fairness, justice, and opportunity. During an unprecedented time, she restored and revived HUD and fought for quality and affordable housing for all Americans.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, wrote in a statement:

“She understood that housing is at the center of people’s lives, and she led HUD through a critical period—responding to unprecedented housing challenges during the pandemic, reducing costs for first-time homebuyers, and fighting housing discrimination.”

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, wrote in a statement:

“Her deep commitment to Northern Ohio, and our nation has been evident throughout her career and I'm honored to call her a dear friend and colleague.”

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford, D-N.V., wrote, “Secretary Fudge was a champion for our most vulnerable communities working to address many of the most pressing issues facing our country including immigration, job creation, and combating poverty.”

According to the White House, HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will take over as Acting Secretary after Fudge’s departure.

Fudge will be the third Cabinet secretary to depart the Biden administration, leading to a turnover rate of 7%, according to the Brookings Institution. For comparison, former President Donald Trump had a Cabinet turnover rate of 71% by this point in his presidency.