[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 44 (Monday, April 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AMERICAN HOMEOWNERSHIP AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1776) to 
     expand homeownership in the United States:

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, a livable community is one where our 
families are safe, healthy, and economically secure. A community 
without housing options to meet the needs of its residents is not 
livable. Clearly, action is needed since many throughout our country 
cannot afford to live in the places in which they work. I am pleased to 
rise in support of the American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity 
Act because it creates more housing options and will make our 
communities better places to live.
  This bill contains several employer-assisted housing opportunities. 
These are important tools for bringing the benefits of homeownership to 
the citizens who serve us every day. I want to highlight a couple of 
outstanding programs in my city of Portland, efforts that H.R. 1776 
reinforces.
  Police At Home is a mortgage loan incentive program to help police 
officers purchase and live in homes in neighborhoods with higher crime 
rates. This program gives police officers a personal stake in their 
communities. It was created in 1995 through a partnership with our 
Mayor's Office, the Portland Police Bureau, the Rotary Club of Albina, 
and five lending institutions. Many of the neighborhoods that have 
attracted officers under this program have seen a decrease in crime. 
This is an excellent example of the kind of partnerships that are a 
cornerstone of community policing.
  The City of Portland's Hometown Home Loan program offers an array of 
benefits to city employees who are purchasing or refinancing a house 
within the city limits. A joint program of the City, Fannie Mae, and 
Continental Savings Bank, it is open to all benefits-eligible employees 
of the City of Portland. It was developed to help City employees become 
homeowners, as well as to encourage employees to live in the city where 
they work.
  Another important item contained in this bill is $275 million for the 
Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. Portland's 
effective use of HOPWA dollars is a national model. It offers diverse 
housing stock including transitional housing for people who are 
homeless and living with AIDS. It also provides permanent housing for 
people living with HIV/AIDS at sites such as the Rose Wood Apartments 
that includes 36 units of rehabilitated affordable rental housing and 
has received HUD's Blue Ribbon Award for Best practice. Nathaniel's Way 
is providing housing for HOPWA-eligible families with children. 
Supported residential care is provided at such places as Swan House and 
Care House. People served by HOPWA funds receive not only housing but 
also a variety of social services: legal assistance, health services, 
mental health counseling and drug and alcohol intervention.
  But the need is greater than ever before. Death rates are declining 
and so more and more people are living with the epidemic. In the 
Portland region, the unmet need is at least 1000 units of permanent 
housing. The funding in this bill will help to address that need.
  This legislation represents efforts by the housing industry and the 
government to promote best practices and assure money is targeted to 
providing more housing. I'm pleased to vote yes.

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