MARTINEZ LAUNCHES NEW SPANISH-LANGUAGE WEBSITE ESPANOL.HUD.GOV TO INCREASE HOUSING EDUCATION AND HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez today launched a new Spanish-language website, espanol.hud.gov, in an effort to help more minorities access information about HUD's housing programs. Martinez made the announcement during a press conference at the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Conference in Orlando, FL.

"Espanol.hud.gov is one part of our overall plan to increase minority access to HUD's extraordinary homeownership and educational materials," said Martinez. "Today's announcement is another step towards achieving the Bush Administration's goal of helping more minorities achieve the dream of homeownership."

"Espanol.hud.gov" unites the HUD's English-language site materials under one bi-lingual umbrella for the first time. In addition to a new look and easier navigation, Espanol.hud.gov offers comprehensive information about homebuying and rental tips, complete home and rental information, list of available HUD homes, loan counseling and financial resources.

In 2000, the Census Bureau reported that the Hispanic population now totaled 35 million, or about 13 percent of the total population. To reach this growing population, last year President Bush announced a goal to create 5.5 million new homeowners by the year 2010, and issued "America's Homeownership Challenge," a call to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to work in partnership to help achieve this goal. The Blueprint for the American Dream Partnership, created last year by Martinez in response to President Bush's call, is a coalition involving many segments of the housing industry.

The Bush Administration has established numerous initiatives that will help more families achieve the American Dream, including the American Dream Downpayment Fund, additional funding for housing counseling, Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership, the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit, increased support for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program SHOP), boosted funding for the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and an affordable housing initiative to focus on reducing regulatory barriers.

Beginning in June of 1997, HUD marked a weeklong national homeownership observance. However, for the second year in a row, the Bush Administration is highlighting the month of June to underscore the importance of homeownership and to focus national attention on initiatives to expand the American Dream to even more Americans. More information on homeownership month can be found at /initiatives/homeownership, a new web page especially designed to provide important information and tips about owning a home, and also links to all of The Blueprint for the American Dream Partners. The Spanish-language counterpart is found at espanol.hud.gov.

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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