[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1277-E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE LITTLE HAITI HOUSING ASSOCIATION

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 16, 1995

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize 
and honor a group of people who truly believe in creating a better 
Miami for all of its residents.
  Mr. Speaker, the group of people I am referring to is the Little 
Haiti Housing Association, Inc. and Citibank, F.S.B., Florida. 
Together, they have forged a formidable, lasting partnership in the 
Little Haiti community. Recently, this partnership has received the 
Social Compact's 1995 Outstanding Community Investment Award. This 
award is bestowed upon a handful of unsung heroes and organizations who 
invest their creative efforts and talents in at-risk communities around 
the country.
  In 1993, the Little Haiti Housing Association and Citibank launched 
the Affordable Home Ownership/Education Program. This program has 
enabled 21 very low-income families in Little Haiti to become proud 
home owners. This program has also equipped 62 additional families with 
the wherewithal to purchase their own homes.
  By leveraging public money with private funds and support, the 
Affordable Home Ownership Education Program purchases abandoned or 
foreclosed properties, renovates them and later sells them to program 
participants. Participants of the program are asked to commit to a 6 
month individualized Home Ownership Training Program. During these 6 
months, participants attend personalized counseling sessions, 
workshops, and class. The training program specifically addresses 
issues which will prepare Little Haiti residents for all the 
responsibilities and concerns that accompany home ownership.
  The role this program plays in this community is particularly 
important when one understands what it means to live in Little Haiti. 
Almost one out of every two people in Little Haiti lives in poverty; 
and the average income for a family of five is less than $14,000 per 
year. Further, 70 percent of family income, on average, is devoted to 
paying rent. And finally, nearly three-quarters of all available 
housing is available only on a rental basis. The residents of Little 
Haiti are hard working Americans. It is 

[[Page E1278]]
easy to see how discouraging it would be to complete an 8 hour or more 
workday and come home to a house that you do not even own. Home 
ownership will be an integral component in jump-starting this very 
proud community.
  Because of the Affordable Housing Ownership/Education Program, the 
benefits currently accruing to this community are threefold: the 
conversion of abandoned dwellings into family housing beautifies the 
community, and increases stability and pride of the residents. The new 
home owners are role models. Their self-determination and belief in the 
betterment of their community is something we should all strive to 
emulate.
  In an area which is beset by poverty and other problems, the Little 
Haiti Housing Association, Inc. and Citibank of Florida have addressed 
a critical need within this community. These organizations as well as 
the individual participants of the program have demonstrated their 
commitment to delivering stability and a sense of community back to 
Little Haiti.
  Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Home Ownership/Education Program in 
Little Haiti is clearly an example of what public-private partnerships 
are capable of achieving. To my colleagues, I believe that the 
Affordable Home Ownership/Education Program is an ideal way to recreate 
cohesive, strong communities, and may be an effective way to turning 
around communities within your own districts. Because of the 
partnership between the Little Haiti Housing Association, Inc. and 
Citibank of Florida, communities across the Nation are given a 
benchmark, a model--if you will--of what this country can do for those 
in need; and furthermore, what those in need are willing to do for 
themselves.
  I would like to join the Social Compact in honoring this group of 
truly inspiring Floridians. I congratulate the Little Haiti Housing 
Authority and Citibank, F.S.B., Florida for creating an opportunity for 
residents of Little Haiti to own homes and build a stronger community. 
I also commend this program to my colleagues who are interested in 
promoting home ownership within their own communities.

                          ____________________