STATEMENT BY HUD SECRETARY ANDREW CUOMO ON RECORD NEW HOME SALES

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today issued the following statement on the Commerce Department announcement that sales of new homes rose 5.2 percent to a record high in April:

"Owning a home is the physical manifestation of everything this country is all about. Homes are not just bricks and mortar. They really represent something special in this country. They embody the aspiration of the American people and represent the success this great land has to offer.

"As we approach national Homeownership Week, these new home sales numbers give us added reason to celebrate. April new home sales mark the highest monthly rate on record, with a 17 percent increase over last April. This is not just good news for homebuyers, it is good news for the American economy and the American taxpayer.

"President Clinton has made homeownership a national priority, and these latest home sales figures speak to the success of this Adminstration's efforts. Looking ahead, we have a proposed housing budget pending in Congress that aims to keep home sales on the rise and keep Americans in their homes.

"I am hopeful that Congress will recognize the remarkable progress made toward increasing homeownership opportunities for America and approve the housing budget before them so our country can stay on the homeownership track."