[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE HUMAN INVESTMENT PROJECT FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN 
            PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SAN MATEO COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in 
commending the Human Investment Project, Inc. [HIP] for its outstanding 
efforts to provide affordable housing opportunities to low-income 
persons who wish to reside in San Mateo County, CA. I am enormously 
proud of HIP's record of accomplishment and am honored to be able to 
praise its good work.
  In these times of budgetary constraints, when Federal, State, and 
local governments are forcing the most vulnerable members of our 
society to fend for themselves, we inevitably turn to private, 
nonprofit organizations to step in and help. HIP meets that challenge 
by serving the housing needs of the community with an emphasis on those 
with special needs including single parent families, seniors, and the 
homeless.
  Founded in 1972, HIP set out to assist the disadvantaged and disabled 
living in San Mateo County. As times changed and new housing challenges 
arose, however, HIP developed new and innovative responses. HIP began 
with the homesharing help and information program, a service linking 
people with housing to share with others needing a place to live at an 
affordable price. Since its creation, HIP has made more than 7,000 
homesharing placements and has become the largest provider of shared 
housing in the Nation.
  In 1985, HIP created the lease-a-home program where it leases 
properties on the open market and then sublets them to people with 
special needs at an affordable price. HIP also manages properties 
through its property development program where it manages group share 
homes and apartment units for low-income and homeless persons and 
developmentally disabled adults.
  In 1987, HIP established the home equity conversion program to assist 
seniors in turning their home equity into cash that allows them to keep 
living at home. Due to this program's outstanding reputation statewide, 
lenders and services providers have been referring clients to HIP for 
counseling.
  HIP's efforts to help low-income single-parent families--undoubtably 
the most underserved segment of the population in terms of affordable 
housing--resulted in several programs aimed at self-sufficiency for 
single parents. The group share program established in 1988 provides 
shared living for single-parent families with two or more children. In 
1991, HIP began its self-sufficiency program to subsidize rent and 
utilities for single parents who live in HIP owned or managed property 
so that they can continue their education or job training and find 
employment. HIP's mentor program supplements the self-sufficiency 
program by matching participants with volunteer mentors. Mentors 
provide guidance and support for professional growth and career 
advancement.
  Most recently in 1993, HIP embarked on its homelessness prevention 
program. This effort targets those who are homeless or at the greatest 
risk of homelessness: the disabled, persons with special needs, single 
parents, the working poor, and others in affordable housing. The 
program matches these candidates with very low rent opportunities or 
opportunities to provide services in lieu of rent.
  As a result of its commitment to the citizens of San Mateo County, 
HIP has received well-deserved recognition. The 102d U.S. Congress 
cited HIP for its ``innovative solution to vexing housing problems.'' 
In addition, the American Society on Aging granted HIP its Best 
Practice Award for its work with the elderly.
   Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
commending the Human Investment Project for making a tremendous and 
lasting contribution to the citizens of San Mateo County. Standing out 
among the myriad activities and projects that occupy our daily lives, 
HIP struggles to keep homelessness at bay for thousands of people. In 
its perseverance and dedication, the Human Investment Project humbly 
reminds us that we are our brothers' and sisters' keeper.

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