Thursday, June 19, 2003 (Orlando, Florida) Visite la página de internet espanol.hud.gov para ayudarles a encontrar la casa de sus sue�os!

"Visit espanol.hud.gov for help with finding the home of your dreams!" was the message of the day in Orlando as Secretary Mel Martinez - spending his second day in town with the "Homeownership Express" - launched HUD's new Spanish-language website.

Espanol.hud.gov outlines President Bush's aggressive plan to increase the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million before the end of the decade. And it shares information that Hispanic families looking to buy homes of their own need to know.

"President Bush and I want the American Dream of homeownership to be accessible to all Americans," said Secretary Martinez during a press conference at the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 74^th National Convention. "Although nearly half of all Hispanic families are homeowners today, that is not good enough."

At the LULAC Convention in Orlando, Secretary Martinez officially launched espanol.hud.gov, HUD's new Spanish-language website. The Secretary surfs the website as LULAC officials look on. Hector Flores, LULAC National President, is second from right.

Studies show that for Hispanic families, the biggest barrier to purchasing a home isn't the cost of the mortgage, but a lack of information about the homebuying process. This is especially true for immigrants, who often come to the U.S. from countries where homeownership is not an option and long-term financing is unheard of, and those who speak English as a second language.

Many potential homebuyers don't know how their credit history - or lack of credit history - will affect their ability to buy. They don't know about the various financing options that can put homeownership within reach of low-income families. They haven't learned about their rights as buyers, and the responsibilities that come with a mortgage.

Secretary Martinez delivered the keynote address at the Unity Luncheon at the annual LULAC Convention in Orlando, where he discussed the Administration's efforts to increase homeownership opportunities for Hispanics.

Through espanol.hud.gov, future homeowners can learn about their financing options and legal rights, get help with down payments and closing costs, locate HUD homes for sale in their neighborhoods, and take advantage of exciting new tools that can put homeownership within reach.

"Espanol.hud.gov is one part of our overall plan to increase minority access to HUD's extraordinary homeownership and educational materials," said Secretary Martinez. "Today's announcement is another step towards achieving the Bush Administration's goal of helping more minorities realize the dream of homeownership."

The new Spanish-language website mirrors the primary HUD site - www.hud.gov - a popular and award-winning portal into homeownership and other housing resources through which more than 800,000 visitors travel monthly.