Businessman and philanthropist Bill Pulte, who founded the Detroit Blight Authority and whose family has long been connected with southeast Michigan, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency for the Trump administration.

Bill Pulte was confirmed as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency after a majority of the Senate backed him to lead an agency that plays a key role in the US housing market through its oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The founder of the Detroit Blight Authority sees his nomination to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency advance toward a confirmation vote.

Three Democratic senators joined Republican colleagues to confirm the businessman, who previously voiced his support for easing government regulations.

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to confirm William Pulte to serve as the next director of the regulator charged with overseeing housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. By a vote of 56 to 43, the Senate confirmed Pulte's nomination,

The Senate voted 56-43 to confirm Bill Pulte, a businessman with ties to Michigan, to serve as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.