HUD NAMES LIAISON FOR COMMUNITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN MIDWEST REGION

CHICAGO, IL - Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Joseph P. Galvan today announced Kenneth J.
Brucks would serve as the Department's principle liaison to community and faith-based organizations in HUD's
Midwest region.

Brucks will act as HUD's primary point of contact with faith-based and community groups seeking information, technical assistance and funding opportunities in the Midwest region. During his almost four years with HUD, one of
his most significant accomplishments was coordinating HUD's Midwest Interfaith and Community Conference which drew 600 participants. Before joining HUD, he was the Executive Director of the Edgewater Community Council for eight years and worked closely with the Edgewater Community Religious Association. From 1982-1988, Brucks was
the Archdiocese of Chicago Director of the Campaign for Human Development, the antipoverty program of the
Catholic Church.

"Ken will be an indispensable resource to these organizations as we seek to facilitate their participation in HUD's mission of providing critically needed housing and other services to people in need," said Joseph P. Galvan. "This is
just one more way we can level the playing field for smaller faith-based and community groups who are doing so
much good at the grassroots level."

Brucks said, "I'm thrilled to be HUD's liaison to these community and faith-based groups. I'm hopeful I can help continue to break down the barriers that may prevent the full inclusion of these important organizations in the Department's work in their neighborhoods."

Shortly after taking office, President Bush established Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in five
major cabinet agencies, including HUD, to evaluate policies, funding programs, and agency outreach efforts to
ensure that they emphasize effectiveness and hospitality to faith-based and community-based organizations.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez directed a top-to-bottom review of all HUD programs to identify barriers to the participation of community- and faith-based organizations. As a result, HUD is working to remove these barriers and reach out to the faith community and other grassroots organizations that are uniquely positioned to more effectively provide social services to low-income Americans.

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. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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