| Written by HOPE Communications, on 03-06-2008 09:07 |
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Homeownership Preservation Tour Touts Federal, State and Local Government Efforts, as Well as Non-Profit's Push to Identify Economic Opportunities That Promote Fiscal Fitness Financial Literacy Program Nationwide LOS ANGELES, CA--- March 5, 2008---As part of the HOPE Now Alliance Initiative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson traveled to Los Angeles today trumpeting several White House foreclosure prevention initiatives. Hosted by global financial literacy organization Operation HOPE (HOPE), Secretary Jackson was greeted by several dignitaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  HOPE Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, in his dual role as recently appointed Vice Chairman of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, started the day by giving Secretary Jackson a tour of his organization's empowerment center and Cyber Café in Baldwin Hills. "Operation HOPE and HUD have maintained a strong alliance that continues to advance 'Silver Rights' for the disenfranchised," Bryant said. "This movement, focusing on economic parity and wealth building, is the cornerstone of HOPE's mission to eradicate poverty."
At the South Los Angeles facility, Secretary Jackson met with housing counseling agencies, community stakeholders and religious leaders about the challenges and opportunities seen in today's housing market. He shared information about new policies being put into place to address the subprime mortgage crisis, policies that the private financial sector is looking to adopt and homeowners with mortgage payment challenges are eager to employ. Secretary Jackson later delivered a keynote address at West Angeles Church of God and Christ before an audience of government and community leaders. "If we can make housing counseling a standard part of home buying, then we can eliminate much of the risk of foreclosure. If we can make the Federal Housing Administration more competitive, then we will open it up to millions of future homeowners, and think of what that will mean in terms of the stability of the housing market and affordability of loans. If we can maintain industry cooperation, both within the industry and with homeowners, we can change the culture of lending. We must help people keep their homes," said Jackson. Several individuals in attendance, including South Bay Assembly member Ted Lieu who appeared in his capacity as California Assembly Banking Committee Chairman, welcomed the Secretary's visit. For Mayor Villaraigosa, providing resources for those who feel their options are limited is the most important role government can play. "Los Angeles is an incredible place to live and raise a family, but many Angelenos are struggling to find solutions to the current economic challenges our nation is facing. Operation HOPE and the federal government's emphasis on educating individuals on money matters is a positive step in the right direction, and I wholeheartedly support these efforts." About U.S. Housing And Urban Development HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships -- particularly with faith-based and community organizations -- that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level. For more information, please visit www.hud.gov. About Operation HOPE Operation HOPE (HOPE) is a leading global nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. Through various initiatives and its three principal programs: Banking on Our Future (teaching youth about financial empowerment), HOPE Coalition America (financial emergency preparedness and recovery), and the HOPE Center Banking Network (loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles), HOPE is at the forefront of a "silver rights" movement, making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserved communities. For more information, visit us at http://www.operationhope.org/.
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