HUD HOSTS NATIONAL HOUSING SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON
Two-day summit brings together public, private, and non-profit organizations from across the country

WASHINGTON - More than 800 Federal, state, and community leaders from around the nation are gathering in Washington for a two-day national housing summit sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD Secretary Steve Preston invited key housing and finance staffs from state, city and county governments, as well as representatives from the banking and housing industries, non-profit organizations, and foundations to address the country's urgent and long-term housing issues.

"One of the benefits of this summit is that we can exchange information and educate each other," said Preston. There are new, powerful programs available that did not exist in the past. This summit is an opportunity to create powerful and lasting partnerships and indicate best practices for stabilizing neighborhoods and helping families keep their homes."

HUD's Summit on Housing: Partnering for Responsible Policyhas several goals:

• To present details of HUD's current and developing policies and programs, including HUD's new Neighborhood Stabilization Program;
• To share successful Federal, State and local policies and programs that are preventing foreclosures and reducing the effects of property abandonment and declining home values;
• To cultivate public-private partnerships; and
• To offer an open forum for discussion of best practices.

Participants are able to arrange individual sessions with HUD staff, and gain additional information about developing state and community action plans necessary for acquiring HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. Other sessions share details on HUD programs regarding foreclosure prevention and loss mitigation, such as Hope for Homeownersand the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008. Another key focus of this summit is expanding consumer education and financial literacy for future homebuyers.

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