United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

“ The Department's mission – to promote affordable quality housing and community development available to all without discrimination – is critical to the well-being of millions of working families. As we tackle the effects of the current fiscal crisis on Americans, HUD must be part of the solution. ”

“ Several of those affiliates are now at various stages in creating community housing development organizations, the next step in solving housing problems for low-income and African-American households in their cities. ”

“ Provided, however, That no capital grant shall be made for the development of any low-rent-housing or slum-clearance project involving the construction of new dwellings, unless the project includes the elimination by demolition, condemnation, and effective closing, or the compulsory repair or improvement of unsafe or insanitary dwellings situated in the locality or metropolitan area, substantially equal in number to the number of newly constructed dwelling units provided by the project ”

“ This investment will allow us to put people to work, weatherizing at least 2 million low-income homes, which will also save working families on average $350 per year in heating costs. It's important to remember that these investments will expand the availability of affordable housing by 15,000 units -- and that is not insignificant -- which, coupled with other homeless programs here at HUD will play an important role in preventing an increase in homelessness during these tough economic times. ”

“ Because what we do know is that homeownership, at least as I know it, growing up on the south side of Chicago, has always been one of the building blocks for strong neighborhoods, for strong schools and strong families. People who own their homes and take care of their homes, it leads to the well-being of the entire community. It's critical. And the housing crisis has drastic consequences, not just on our economy but on the very fiber of our communities all across this country. ”

“ Homelessness Prevention Fund For homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing activities, $1,500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2011: Provided, That funds provided under this heading shall be used for the provision of short-term or medium-term rental assistance; housing relocation and stabilization services including housing search, mediation or outreach to property owners, credit repair, security or utility deposits, utility payments, rental assistance for a final month at a location, moving cost assistance, and case management ”

“ For purposes of this section— (1) the terms ``low-income ́ ́ and ``very low-income ́ ́ shall have the meanings provided by the statute and/or regulations governing the program under which the project is insured or assisted; (2) the term ``multifamily housing project ́ ́ means housing that meets one of the following conditions— (A) housing that is subject to a mortgage insured under the National Housing Act ”

“ For the housing program, most of the legislative authority already exists. However, a firm program of public housing is essential until the private building industry has found ways to provide more adequate housing for low-income families. The Administration will propose authority to contract for 35 thousand additional public housing units in each of the next 2 fiscal years for communities which will participate in an integrated attack on slums and blight. ”

“ Homelessness is not a short-term emergency. It demands longer term, broader solutions-an array of services to meet the different needs of people who find themselves on the streets. Toward this end, my Administration is proposing a new rent structure for publicly assisted housing, and we are expanding on innovative ways to create a new partnership between cities and the Federal Government to provide those in need with critical social services and permanent housing. ”

“ We will adopt even more vigorous and effective policies and measures to stabilize market confidence and expectations, keep real estate investment stable, and promote steady and orderly development of the real estate industry. We will speed up implementation and improvement of policies and measures to promote development of low-income housing projects. Wewill strive to solve the housing problems of 7.5 million low-income urban families and 2.4 million families living in shantytowns in forests, on reclaimed land and around coalmines within three years. ”

“ I call upon the people of this Nation to help secure freedom and justice for every American by taking action to fulfill the promise made by the Fair Housing Act to ensure everyone has free and fair housing choice. ”