FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2005	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

“The importance of decent, affordable housing to all cannot be underestimated.  Good housing promotes family stability, creates positive environments for children, and supports success in the job market. In response to the President’s State of the Union Address, and in advance of the release of the Administration’s fiscal year 2006 budget proposal, NHC urges an increased focus on the preservation and expansion of targeted housing programs that are critical to the future of America’s low- and moderate-income working families.

Our members understand that homeownership is a valuable and essential component in any successful housing strategy, but the Administration’s homeownership-focused initiatives must go hand-in-hand with targeted rental policies designed for those families that are not yet ready for homeownership. We encourage the Administration to strengthen its support and funding of the Section 8 voucher program, which has been critical to ensuring affordable rental housing for low-income families, but has been threatened by severe budget cuts.

NHC continues to support the Community Development Block Grant program. At minimum, we strongly recommend funding of the program at current levels. CDBG has successfully provided multipurpose development grants to state and local governments for 30 years – ultimately, transforming neighborhoods and improving lives.

Other programs helping families nationwide, which must also be funded at least at current levels, include the HOME program. This program provides grants or loans to states or localities for a wide-range of activities, such as the construction, purchase or rehabilitation of affordable housing, as well as direct assistance to low-income families. In addition, distressed public housing is being replaced with mixed-income communities through the HOPE VI program, responsible for tens of thousands of new housing units.

For those who are most needy, we cannot forget the homeless assistance and counseling programs, which provide shelter, food and important job training programs. And, even though there has often been a focus on urban and suburban communities, there must be a renewed commitment to rural areas. Many of these rural communities are served by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service, which provides loans and grants for housing and community facilities that need and should receive additional support.”

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