As State Of The Union Approaches, Economics Of Affordable Housing Crunch Evident; NHC Experts Outline Affordable Housing Objectives

1/24/2003

From: Michele Anapol, of the National Housing Conference, 202-466-2121 Ext. 226, manapol@nhc.org

News Advisory:

WHAT: In preparation for the upcoming State of the Union address by President Bush, experts from the National Housing Conference (NHC), the nation's oldest public policy and housing advocacy organization, are available to discuss the severe affordable housing crunch stretching across the United States. With domestic spending cuts looming, NHC spokespersons can outline the objectives that need to be met by the Bush Administration and Congress in order to help ensure affordable housing. As determined by the bi-partisan, Congressionally-appointed Millennial Housing Commission, the development of housing has a major impact on the national economy and the economic growth and health of regions and communities. In its final report to Congress, the Commission ultimately found affordability to be the greatest housing challenge facing the country.

The growing affordable housing problem is further emphasized by NHC's ground-breaking new study entitled America's Working Families and the Housing Landscape, conducted by its research affiliate the Center for Housing Policy. The findings provided the latest affordable housing statistics among working families, as well as for the entire nation. Specifically, the study found that in just four years there has been a 67 percent increase in the number of working families that spend more than half their income on housing.

WHO: NHC Executive Director Conrad Egan and Director of Public Affairs John Bohm; NHC spokespersons from member organizations across the nation. For a list of member experts, go to: http://www.nhc.org/who_we_are_leadership.htm.

WHEN: Interviews available upon request.

WHERE: By telephone or in person.

Contact: Michele Anapol, Communications Manager, 202-466-2121 Ext. 226, manapol@nhc.org

Formed in 1931, the National Housing Conference (NHC) is the nation's oldest public policy and housing advocacy organization. A coalition of affordable housing experts from the public and private sectors, it is an essential source of broad, nonpartisan information concerning national housing policy. For more information on NHC and its publications, go to http://www.nhc.org.