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For Immediate Release: (202) 402-4837 HUD OIG Launches Integrity and Compliance Program WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD OIG) is proud to announce the launch of an effort to establish an Integrity & Compliance Program (ICP). This program will demonstrate HUD OIG’s commitment to the public to maintain its high standard of integrity, and dedication to making values-based ethics the standard for its conduct. HUD OIG’s goal with the ICP initiative is to incorporate integrity into every decision at every level. The ICP initiative will go beyond typical government ethics programs which, by statute, are focused on matters of employee financial disclosure requirements and compliance with regulations prohibiting such things as conflicts of interest. It will also incorporate robust whistleblower, ombudsman, and hotline programs. “By implementing an integrity program that emphasizes our office’s shared core values, we look to support our employees as they make tough decisions in their daily activities,” said David A. Montoya, Inspector General. “We also want to provide them guidance so they are prepared for instances when ethical dilemmas arise. As evidenced by recent events of misconduct in Executive branch departments and agencies, we recognize that a single act of misconduct can jeopardize an organization’s mission. I believe federal agencies should do more to incorporate a strong values-based ethics program that goes beyond the government’s current focus of ethics. It will allow us to employ a principled organizational culture and use our values, policies and principles to guide every decision we make and every action we take.” HUD OIG elected to partner with the Ethics Research Center (ERC), the research arm of the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI), on this effort. ERC is America's oldest non-profit organization devoted to independent research to advance high ethical standards and practices in public and private institutions. ERC will be reviewing HUD OIG’s current programs and soliciting input from leaders and employees about how they live their values and the challenges they face, and helping coordinate this data into the creation of a values-based ethics program for HUD OIG. “We look forward to supporting HUD OIG in their development of systems and resources that will transform their existing program into a true values-based ethics program,” said Patricia J. Harned, Ph.D., CEO, ECI. “HUD is the first OIG to endeavor to create this type of program, which demonstrates their commitment to not only operating with integrity, but also their courage in providing a model for their broader Department and other agencies. We are proud to help them accomplish these goals.” # # # |
