HUD AND OBAMA ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS HOST PENNSYLVANIA WHITE HOUSE FORUM ON HOUSING
HUD, Treasury, USDA, Senior Administration Officials, along with local housing leaders and advocates discuss programs, initiatives and "best practices" for reviving PA communities hardest hit by the housing crisis

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosted a White House Forum on Housing to discuss programs and initiatives promoted by the Obama Administration that help responsible homeowners and struggling communities hit hardest by the housing crisis. The White House Housing Forum convened Pennsylvania elected officials, regional and local leaders, housing and development alliances and community advocates in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building this afternoon for the discussion.

"During my participation in various White House forums I have found representatives extremely receptive to listening to our ideas and concerns," said Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. "I am thankful that the Administration takes the initiative to schedule these conferences to listen to local leaders to share our best practices on the ground and provide feedback on federal programs."

Forum sessions, led by White House and Administration officials, explored tools and resources offered by the federal government and detailed help for homeowners, assistance for underserved communities, insights for cultivating public-private partnerships and the future of housing. Additionally, the historic $25 billion foreclosure settlement, the President's new housing initiatives and legislative proposals impacting housing reforms were discussed.

The unprecedented mortgage servicers settlement is the largest federal-state civil agreement ever obtained and is the result of extensive investigations led by federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, HUD, the HUD Office of the Inspector General (HUD-OIG), 49 state attorneys general and state banking regulators across the country. The joint federal-state group entered into the agreement with the nation's five largest mortgage servicers: Bank of America Corporation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Company, Citigroup Inc., and Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC) - and as a result all Americans are ensured a fair shot, their fair share, and fair deal.

Participants shared "best practices" and provided feedback on the effectiveness of targeted federal programs and initiatives.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.