HUD GENERAL COUNSEL TO ADDRESS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS (NAHRO) 2006 SUMMER CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON - Keith E. Gottfried, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will address the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) 2006 Summer Conference on Sunday morning (July 16, 2006). The conference, which is being held in Denver, CO, runs from today to July 17. NAHRO is considered the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans - particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. Their approximately 20,000 members include housing authorities and other public agencies as well as private organizations and individuals.

The theme of this year's conference is "Reaching New Heights in Housing and Community Development" and focuses on issues related to affordable housing and community development, public housing, HUD-related issues, and continuing hurricane relief. In his address, Gottfried will discuss his plans to significantly enhance regulatory transparency and compliance assistance at HUD and to improve the processes for providing regulatory guidance and seeking meaningful input from those subject to HUD's rules and regulations.

"Regulatory transparency is the key to developing more effective and efficient regulations as well as regulations of higher quality," said Gottfried. "Through the implementation of regulatory transparency and improved compliance assistance, we hope to increase predictability, foster trust, promote regulatory quality, increase compliance, reduce compliance friction, leverage the private sector's knowledge and expertise, enable regulated entities to have sufficient clarity to take action without fear of violating the law and, last but not least, demonstrate our continuing commitment to democracy."

The full text of Mr. Gottfried's address will be made available upon request.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.