(Reuters) - The U.S. housing secretary has resigned and will leave office April 18, he said on Monday.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson said that he is leaving office "to attend more diligently to personal and family matters."
In recent days, Jackson has faced calls for his resignation after lawmakers have said he behaved improperly in awarding federal contracts.
Jackson took office in March 2004 and his departure is expected to complicate efforts to reform the Federal Housing Administration, which some lawmakers say could be retooled to aid more of today's homeowners who face foreclosure.