STATEMENT BY HUD SECRETARY ANDREW CUOMO ON CREATION OF FAIR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP IN WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today welcomed the announcement by the Fair Housing Council of Greater Washington that it has formed a Fair Housing Partnership with real estate firms to combat housing discrimination and increase minority homeownership.

"Partnerships such as these will help advance President Clinton's goal of a nation where the door to the American Dream is open to all," Cuomo said. "They will promote equal opportunity by knocking down barriers to homeownership and by encouraging real estate professionals to go the extra mile to help create One America. Voluntary compliance agreements such as this - as well as the One America agreement HUD recently signed with the National Association of Realtors - show the industry's clear commitment to equal opportunity in housing."