Vernetta Young became a homeowner on Wednesday, June 5, thanks to Secretary Martinez, Habitat for Humanity and her own hard work. The day after President Bush proclaimed June as National Homeownership Month, Martinez kicked off the month-long celebration by giving Young and her family the keys to "The House the HUD Secretary Built" today during a ceremony in Northeast Washington.

Vernetta Young receives the keys to "The House the Secretary Built" from Secretary Martinez.

"June is National Homeownership Month and what better way to mark the occasion than to help one family realize the American Dream," said Martinez. "Today we open one door but President Bush and I are committed to opening many more to families who have longed to share in the dream of having a home to call their own."

Young said, "This is wonderful, wonderful! I'm just ecstatic. The first thing I'm going to do in our new house is to kneel down and give thanks to God for the home that we have." The three-bedroom house will now be home to Young, her two daughters Tierra and Jasmine, and her eight-year-old granddaughter, Patience.

Since June of 1997, HUD has marked a week-long national homeownership observance. However, this year the Bush Administration is using the entire month of June to underscore the importance of homeownership and to focus national attention on initiatives to expand the American Dream to even more Americans.

In an effort to expand homeownership opportunities to more Americans, President Bush is proposing to triple funding to faith-based and self-help programs like Habitat for Humanity. HUD funding of such "sweat equity" programs would nearly triple from $22 million to $65 million. In addition, President Bush's proposed budget includes several important initiatives to further increase homeownership for all Americans:

• American Dream Downpayment Fund. This program would provide $200 million to continue to help more Americans reach the dream of homeownership.
  
  
• Housing Counseling Assistance Program. The Administration is requesting a record $35 million, a $15 million increase, for a separate Housing Counseling Assistance Program for low-income families in the coming year.
  
  
• Section 8 Homeownership Program. HUD permits local housing agencies the flexibility to use HUD's rental assistance toward moving low-income families into homeownership.
  
  
• Renewing the Dream Tax Credit. To further promote homeownership, the Administration is proposing a $1.7 billion tax credit to support the rehabilitation or new construction of an estimated 100,000 homes for purchase by low-income households over a five-year period.
  
  
• Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The budget plan includes $2.1 billion for the HOME program, an increase of $238 million over the current year, to fund a wide range of rental and homeownership activities.

Read the Presidential Proclamation of National Homeownership Month 2002. (www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020604-23)

Before becoming involved with HUD and Habitat for Humanity, the Young family's living situation was less than ideal. They could not meet the special needs of 13-year-old Tierra, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. The small, one-bedroom apartment had a narrow kitchenette that prevented access for Tierra and forced Vernetta to carry her daughter. And, Vernetta and her daughters slept in the same room on two beds pushed together.

The newly restored home features wide doors and ramps to accommodate Tierra's wheelchair as well as a new furnace and central air conditioning. Contractors removed asbestos shingles and lead paint hazards from the home before volunteers took over the rehabilitation project. The home's attic is now a second-floor living area that will become ten-year-old Jasmine's new bedroom.

Habitat for Humanity is celebrating 26 years of building homes for families in need. In recognition of Habitat's substantial contribution to providing affordable housing opportunities, Martinez authorized the sale of the Young's new home to Habitat for $1. The nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization has built more than 120,000 houses in more than 83 countries, including some 30,000 houses across the United States.

Read Secretary Martinez's remarks at the Dedication of "The House the Secretary Built."

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws.

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This week, the Department unveiled a new site on the Internet especially designed to provide important information and tips about owning a home. Interested in becoming a homeowner? Visit HUD's National Homeownership Month website.