In 1999 , he was elected to be a school board member for Brooklyn School District 15 .
As the tri-state region 's highest - ranking HUD official , de Blasio led a small executive staff and took part in outreach to residents of substandard housing .
In 1999 , de Blasio was elected to be a school board member for Brooklyn School District 15 .
As the tri-state region 's highest - ranking HUD official , de Blasio led a small executive staff and took part in outreach to residents of substandard housing .