Federal Housing Administration Commissioner David Stevens will leave his post by the end of April. Stevens told HousingWire that he will return to the private sector, and he is currently deciding what his next step will be. “We’ve accomplished great things including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the white paper on the future of housing finance,” Stevens said. “But it’s time for fresh legs.” Nominated in April 2009 and sworn in that July, Stevens served as commissioner a little longer than most in that position, and helped guide the FHA through one of the worst financial crises in U.S. history. “It’s been an honor being in the position working for President Obama and Secretary Shaun Donovan. I came in with a focus to do several things. I wanted to the MMI fund in a better position and to create the Office of Risk Management, which we did,” Stevens said in an interview with HousingWire Thursday. As the private market shrunk away from housing coming out of the crisis, the FHA watched its share of the market balloon to 36% or $931 billion of insurance in force, according to a report issued at the end of 2010. The FHA capital reserve ratio, which is a secondary cushion to absorb any unexpected claims fell to 0.53%. But according to that independent report, the reserve should return to the 2% mandated level by 2015. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said Stevens  has been focused on restoring the FHA to fiscal health while protecting taxpayers and fulfilling its mission of making homeownership available to qualified homebuyers. “His leadership at a historic time for FHA has not only contributed to a renewed sense of confidence in the FHA, but also a restored trust in government and what it can do,” Donovan said. “Dave has been a critical part of our team and while he will be missed, I am confident we will build on the progress we’ve made during his tenure.” The Wall Street Journal also reported Steven’s possible departure early Thursday. Write to Jon Prior. Follow him on Twitter: @JonAPrior