For many individuals and families the "American Dream" starts with owning a home. Owning a home helps one gain independence, confidence, and faith in the future for growth. President George W. Bush said, "The spread of homeownership and opportunity helps give our citizens a vital stake in the future of America, and the chance to realize the great promise of our country."

L to R - Louis M. Berra, FOD for Grand Rapids Field office accepts Traverse City Mayoral proclamation with Deborah Wilson, Executive Director, Ferndale Housing Commission and President of MHDA and TC Mayor Protem, Rick Csapo.

On June 5-7, 2006, The Affordable Housing Conference was held to educate service providers, nonprofit and for-profit developers, and financers about: ending homelessness, homeownership, creating and preserving multifamily housing, community economic development, organizational development, and asset management for individuals and families. More than 25 organizations come together each year to plan the two-and-a-half day conference. In just seven years it has evolved into the largest conference of its kind in the United States; and it has become the place to be to meet and network with the industry's top players.

L - R -Louis M. Berra, FOD - Grand Rapids FO with Michael DeVos, ED for Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) at the Statewide Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing in Lansing accepting Governor Jennifer Granholm's Gubernatorial Proclamation declaring June Homeownership Month in the State of Michigan.

At the conference, in partnership with the State of Michigan and HUD, Michael DeVos, Executive Director for MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority), and Louis Berra, Field Office Director for the Grand Rapids HUD field office, held a short press conference with local media to announce the Governor's proclamation declaring June as Homeownership Month in the State of Michigan.

Throughout the past several weeks, Louis Berra- Field Office Director, has traveled across West Michigan to further talk about the FHA products in its processing, as well as recent improvements that bring benefits to future homebuyers.

Grand Rapids Field Office Director, Louis Berra accepts the Mayoral Homeownership Proclamation for the City of Big Rapids at the MINAHRO Spring Conference.