[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 92 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 92

       Recognizing the importance of homeownership for Americans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 26, 2008

    Mr. Johnson (for himself and Mr. Thune) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, 
                       Housing, and Urban Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
       Recognizing the importance of homeownership for Americans.

Whereas the United States promotes and encourages the creation and 
        revitalization of sustainable and strong neighborhoods in partnership 
        with States, cities, and local communities and in conjunction with the 
        independent and collective actions of private citizens and 
        organizations;
Whereas establishing a housing infrastructure strengthens neighborhoods and 
        local economies and nurtures the families who reside in them;
Whereas an integral element of a strong community is a sufficient supply of 
        affordable housing;
Whereas affordable housing may be provided in many forms, including apartment 
        buildings, transitional and temporary homes, condominiums, cooperatives, 
        and single family homes;
Whereas, for many families, a home is not merely shelter, but also provides an 
        opportunity for growth, prosperity, and security;
Whereas homeownership spurs the production and sale of goods and services, 
        generates new jobs, encourages savings and investment, promotes economic 
        and civic responsibility, and enhances the financial security of all 
        people in the United States;
Whereas, although the United States is the first nation in the world to make 
        owning a home a reality for a vast majority of families, \1/3\ of 
        homeowners in the United States are severely cost-burdened homeowners;
Whereas Habitat for Humanity is able to sell homes to working families at 30 
        percent to 60 percent of median income;
Whereas the community-building activities of neighborhood-based nonprofit 
        organizations empower individuals to improve their lives and make 
        communities safer and healthier for families;
Whereas one of the best known nonprofit housing organizations is Habitat for 
        Humanity, which builds simple but adequate housing for less fortunate 
        families and symbolizes the self-help approach to homeownership;
Whereas studies show that homeownership has a positive impact on the lives of 
        family members, including improved physical and mental health;
Whereas Habitat for Humanity is organized in all 50 States and the District of 
        Columbia;
Whereas Habitat for Humanity has built over 275,000 houses worldwide and 
        endeavors to complete another 100,000 homes by the end of 2009;
Whereas Habitat for Humanity provides opportunities for people from every 
        segment of society to volunteer to help make the American dream a 
        reality for families who otherwise would not own a home; and
Whereas June has been designated National Homeownership Month: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) everyone in the United States should have a decent home 
        in which to live;
            (2) Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
        should demonstrate the importance of volunteerism;
            (3) during the 110th, 111th, and 112th Congresses, Members 
        of the Senate and the House of Representatives are encouraged 
        to participate in Congress Building America, a program in which 
        congressional delegations work with Habitat for Humanity 
        affiliates to build homes in their districts and States; and
            (4) these occasions should be used to emphasize and focus 
        on the importance of providing decent homes for all of the 
        people in the United States.
                                 <all>