FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2006	Contact: Michele Anapol (202) 466-2121 x226 manapol@nhc.org

Statement by Conrad Egan
President and CEO of the National Housing Conference

Prepared in Response to the President’s State of the Union Address

“There is no question that our country is facing great challenges. NHC’s members understand the importance of healthcare, protecting the country’s homeland and strengthening the economy. However, the availability of affordable housing is fundamental to achieving these goals. Decent, affordable and safe housing is critical to a stable labor market, good health and positive outcomes for children.

Nowhere are the connections between housing and quality of life more evident than in the Hurricane-devastated Gulf Region. Yet, months after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, the nation’s policy response remains fragmented, underdeveloped, and wholly inadequate to meet the full scale of needs of affected families and their communities. If there were ever a time for federal leadership to develop a strong, coordinated response to quickly and effectively meet the needs of distressed families and communities, now is that time.

The Administration should abandon the policy of creating trailer parks for disaster evacuees and instead use existing housing assistance programs such as Section 8 to capitalize on available and vacant housing stock within the southern U.S. for all disaster evacuees. NHC urges the federal government to step forward and provide the leadership, resources and technical know-how necessary to accelerate the rebuilding process and meet the housing and other basic needs of displaced Gulf Coast families.

Additionally, in advance of the release of the Administration’s fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, NHC urges full support and funding for housing and community development programs. Decent, affordable and safe housing ultimately supports success in the job market, is essential to good health and creates positive outcomes for children. These programs are vital to the future of America’s low- and moderate-income working families and the future of America.”

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