(June 6, 2003, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) - Folks visiting the University of Pittsburgh today had a chance to learn about a subject not normally found in the school's annual course catalog: Homeownership 101.

The reason? A visit by the HUD "Homeownership Express" to stress how important it is that homeowners understand the process of buying a home before they try to navigate it on their own.

Experts agree that helping families learn about the loan products and services available to them, and how to identify and avoid unscrupulous lenders, is critical to increasing homeownership. It's especially important for immigrants, or those who speak English as their second language.

New homeowner Tori Denson receives the key to her new home from Frank Aggazio Executive Director of the Alleghany County Housing Authority and HUD's Michael Liu.

Tori Denson, a 25-year-old mother of three, knows that housing education pays dividends. After six months of counseling, and down payment help provided by the Allegheny County Housing Authority, she's ready to move into a new three-bedroom home of her own in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Tori is buying her home through the Allegheny County Housing Authority Section 8 Homeownership Program. This HUD initiative empowers families to move from government-subsidized housing into homes of their own. It is such a successful program that President Bush and HUD Secretary Mel Martinez have proposed expanding it to allow even more families to participate.

During a morning ceremony on the Pitt campus, Frank Aggazio, Executive Director of the Allegheny County Housing Authority, and HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Michael Liu presented a ceremonial key to the Denson family. "Homeownership strengthens families and communities," said Assistant Secretary Liu. "The Bush Administration has joined forces with numerous private and nonprofit organizations in a collaborative effort to increase homeownership, particularly among minorities."

Today's event also featured a presentation by Fannie Mae of its Internet-based software program - Home Counselor Online - and a $10,000 check to Neighborhood Housing Services of Pittsburgh, whose staff provided on-site homeownership counseling services to some 50 potential homebuyers.

U.S. Representative Tim Murphy commended HUD and Fannie Mae for removing the barriers that block too many families from homeownership. "Today, the American Dream of owning a home is closer to being a reality for many of America's families. Houses are built of brick and mortar, not red tape and regulations," said Rep. Murphy.

Also on hand to welcome the Homeownership Express were Robert J. Sahadi, Fannie Mae's vice president for Community Technology, and HUD partners from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh, Neighborhood Housing Services of Pittsburgh, the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, and the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Mulugetta Birru read a statement proclaiming it to be "National Homeownership Express Day" in Pittsburgh.

For the second year in a row, the Bush Administration is highlighting the full 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. Through out the month, the bus will travel 8,500 miles and make stops in cities from coast to coast as it brings HUD's message of empowering families through homeownership directly into America's communities.

Tuesday: Finding faith in Flint.