by Dan Perkins

Source: U.S. Newswire Press Release

Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American economy and on Tuesday, June 2, 2004, The Homeownership Alliance, a homeownership advocacy group, presented eight individuals with its Homeownership Hero Award.  The award is given to individuals who contribute to the expansion of homeownership opportunities for American families.

Congressman Artur Davis, a Democrat representing Alabama's 7th Congressional District, was one of the award recipients.  As a member of the Financial Services committee, Davis has launched a year-long effort to support housing initiatives across the country.  The Alliance honored him for proposing recent legislation designed to achieve four notable outcomes: increase the amount of available rural housing units, provide incentives for lenders to offer low-interest loans, encourage home builders to build more homes throughout the community, and providing working families with down payment assistance for their first home.

In addition to Davis, this year's hero award went to three other members of congress, a senator, a governor, the president of the National League of Cities and the chairman of the Homeownership Allowance.  In presenting the awards, the Alliance recognized the each recipient's contributions to homeowners in America.  The other recipients, in alphabetical order, were:

Kenneth A. Guenther is chairmanship the Homeownership Alliance, and he was recognized for his continuing efforts to make homeownership a national priority. He led the Alliance as it released a groundbreaking report about the future of homeownership in the United States.  He has also worked to make minority homeownership a key issue for the Alliance in 2004.  Guenther is the immediate past-president & CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America.

Congresswoman Katherine Harris, a Republican, representing Florida's 13 Congressional District, was honored for introducing the American Dream Downpayment Act, which aims to help tens of thousands of low-income families and individuals achieve the American dream of purchasing their first home.  This bill also includes the reauthorization of the HOPE VI public housing revitalization program through 2006.

Selectman Charlie Lyons is the President of the National League of Cities and Chairman of the Board of Selectman in Arlington, Massachusetts.  He received the Alliance's "Hero" Award for working to provide technical assistance to elected officials and policy staffs that would enable them to help establish better local policies, laws, regulations in their communities; and promote the development, expansion and sustainability of affordable housing programs. Lyons also serves on the National League of Cities' Affordable Housing Program: Strengthening Partnerships for Housing Opportunities.

Congressman Bob Ney, a Republican representing Ohio's 18th Congressional District, is a member of the Financial Services subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.  He was recognized for helping to pass several important housing bills though the House last year, including the American Dream Downpayment Act.  He also held hearings on the issue of housing counseling.  His new legislation, the Expanding Housing Opportunities Through Education and Counseling Act, is designed to enhance and expand counseling programs currently operated through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell received the Hero Award for establishing the Governor's Task Force for Working Families and the Office for Financial Education.  The governor's Task Force will identify strategies and programs to build incomes and assets for working families, promote financial education, and protect these families from abusive financial services.  The Office for Financial Education will ensure that residents have access to financial education programs and information and will work with other state agencies to promote financial literacy in Pennsylvania.

Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democrat representing California's 27th Congressional District, was acknowledged for sponsoring the Improving Homeownership Opportunities in High Cost States Act in the 108th Congress.  The Act would expand homeownership opportunities in States with high housing costs.

Senator Gordon Smith, a Republican senator from the state of Oregon, was praised for sponsoring the First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act, Mortgage Insurance Fairness Act and the New Homestead Economic Opportunity Act. Smith plans to introduce legislations that will allow Federal Housing Administration (FHA) homebuyers to purchase homes with zero down payment.

"These individuals are truly Homeownership Heroes. They have each made a significant contribution toward making homeownership a possibility for millions of Americans," said Rick Davis, President of the Homeownership Alliance.

The awards were issued during a Homeownership Alliance reception celebrating National Homeownership Month. The reception is the kick-off event for a month of activities celebrating and promoting homeownership.

Homeownership Month has become a primary focus of Homeownership Alliance activities. The month-long celebration serves to build support for the policies that have made homeownership a way of life in the United States. The Alliance wants the American public to understand that owning a home is one of the most effective and proven ways for families to build wealth.

Below is a summary of Homeownership Month activities

Based in Washington, D.C., the Homeownership Alliance is a
coalition of more than a dozen organizations committed to ensuring
support for the American housing system. Members include Consumer Federation of America, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, The Enterprise Foundation, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Habitat for Humanity International, Independent Community Bankers of America, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, National Association of Realtors, World Floor Covering Association, National Bankers Association, National Council of La Raza, and National Urban League.

For more information about the events, go to
http://www.homeownershipalliance.com.
 
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