Gov. Gregoire praises efforts to increase affordable housing

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2008

TACOMA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today applauded community organizations that provide families an affordable home. The governor spoke at the 15th annual affordable housing conference in Tacoma, a two-day event hosted by Washington�s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

�We have a very broad, powerful partnership in this state that pulls together to get hard-working families and vulnerable individuals into homes they can afford,� Gregoire said. �Thousands of Washingtonians are grateful to now have a roof over their heads, thanks to our partnership.�

Gregoire credited both the public and private sector for gains made, and added that she has made affordable housing a priority. The first bill Gregoire signed during the 2008 legislative session provided $6 million to the Washington Families Fund, which helps expand affordable housing for homeless families. In addition, Gregoire promoted increasing the Housing Finance Commission�s authority to help more low- and moderate-income families purchase their first home.

�We know that a good education is tough to get for some children who�s parents can not afford to rent or buy a home in today�s market,� Gregoire said. �Families priced out of the housing market move often and work multiple jobs. That has a huge impact on a child�s ability to learn.�

In June, Gregoire announced that Washington state was planning to fine Countrywide Home Loans $1 million for discriminatory lending, and seeking to revoke Countrywide�s license to do business in the state for its alleged illegal activity. The state has also provided significant funding to the Department of Financial Institutions to set up education and counseling services for families affected by the current mortgage crisis.

�If enough people can�t find an affordable place to live, that area�s economy suffers � especially small business,� Gregoire said. �Ask people in places like Santa Barbara, California, where the service industry continues to suffer because short-order cooks, mechanics and other service workers can�t afford to live where they work.�

More than 700 people from the public and private sector will attend the conference to discuss the state of affordable housing and innovative approaches to bolster it.