[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     20 YEARS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1999

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the San Diego 
Housing Commission on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. During 
these two decades, the Housing Commission has helped to provide 
approximately a half million San Diegans with quality housing 
opportunities. In the process, neighborhoods have been revitalized and 
the economy vastly improved.
  The Housing Commission has invested billions of dollars in San Diego, 
resulting in the development of 10,000 apartment units--including 
nearly 5,500 designed for lower income San Diegans--and in the 
stabilization of rents for thousands of San Diegans through rental 
assistance.
  The Housing Commission has been a leader in our nation. Its approach 
to developing and managing its 1,860 public housing units has earned it 
acclaim and national awards. The awards recognize the Commission for 
the design and maintenance of its properties and for the Commission's 
philosophy of distributing public housing throughout the city.
  The residents in San Diego public housing benefit from the Housing 
Commission's programs that have set national standards in helping 
residents achieve self-sufficiency. The six learning opportunity 
centers at the Commission's sites provide a way for residents to escape 
dependence on welfare.
  The residents are active partners with the Commission in improving 
their lives--the Small Business Administration and San Diego Chamber of 
Commerce Welfare-to-Work Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998 was won by a 
Housing Commission resident, Yohannes Miles, who became a painting 
contractor. Needless to say, Mr. Miles is now a former client of the 
Commission--he has moved into his own home!
  The Housing Commission has improved our whole City. It has helped 
more than 8,000 families rehabilitate their homes and has paved the way 
for 3,100 low- to moderate-income people to purchase their first home.
  The Housing Commission employees are dedicated--15 have been with the 
agency since its founding. In its 20 years, Commission employees have 
helped the agency win countless national awards and honors, including 
high performance ratings each year from the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, the first Award of Excellence for Enduring Design 
from the National Association of Redevelopment Officials, and an award 
for consensus building in developing public housing.
  I want to wish the employees and the officials of the San Diego 
Housing Commission, and the forward thinking city leaders who started 
the agency, a happy anniversary. May you provide many others with the 
basic opportunity and right of housing in San Diego in the years to 
come.

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