On June 30, after traveling some 8,500 miles visiting communities large and small, the HUD Homeownership Express wrapped up its month long U.S. tour in Fresno. The stop that day was at the Asian Village Shopping Center where HUD and local officials met with individuals and families from Fresno's large Southeast Asian community.

Lao Dancers in Fresno California dancing in celebration of Homeownership Month.

Fresno Mayor Autry tells the Fresno crowd that he "shares Secretary Martinez's goal of encouraging homeownerhip for all families."

After watching Hmong and Lao dancers and hearing Khmer music, hundreds of people listened to homeownership presentations from Fresno's Mayor Alan Autry, White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director Ruben Barrales, USDA Regional Director Paul Venosdel and HUD Deputy Regional Director Lily Lee.

They also heard the inspirational story of Khamka Phabmysay and his wife, To, who purchased their first home this year with the help of Fresno's Downpayment Assistance Program.

Since 1993, more than 5,400 families have used the program to buy a house�and the Phabmysay's are a recent success story.

After immigrating from Laos, the Phabmysays rented a house for ten years. When the owner decided this year to sell the house, the Phabmysays used the Downpayment Assistance Program to purchase it. When asked about her favorite part of homeownership, To said -- through an interpreter - that she no longer has to travel to see any of her six children�and now they can come to see her.

During the morning families walked from booth to booth where federal and local agencies, banks, realtors and the Fresno Housing Authority offered literature and assistance. Inspired hearing from the Phabmysay's story and from listening to the other speakers, more than 650 families signed up to start their own journey to homeownership.

White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Ruben Barrales listens to speakers along with HUD Field Director Ann Marie Sudduth.