DONOVAN ISSUES STATEMENT ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2010 HUD BUDGET

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan released the following statement today in response to President Barack Obama's proposed FY 2010 budget announcement:

"Today, President Obama announced general budget direction for HUD and I am very pleased with the outcome and focus. The President has designed a fiscally responsible budget that stresses the need for transparency and accountability from all agencies. HUD will be a leader in providing accountability to American taxpayers as we move forward with the budget process.

"In tough fiscal times, we will be given the resources and flexibility to put this agency back on track: to be a resource for homeowners who are trying to buy or refinance their homes; to be a catalyst for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing, thru new vehicles like the affordable housing trust fund; to give HUD the tools to combat mortgage fraud and predatory loans; to make energy efficiency and sustainable development a significant part of housing policy; and, to support and enhance programs and policies such as vouchers and community development block grants that play an important role in the lives of low income families and communities.

"We have also been charged to change the way we do business: to become more transparent and accountable; to ensure that we subject all our activities to rigorous evaluation so we can support what works and modify what doesn't; and, to become the best partner we can be with the states and localities and private sector firms and nonprofits that do the real work on housing.

"I look forward to working closely with the Administration to finalize our budget and then with Congress on giving HUD the resources and the reforms to make HUD an effective part of the housing solution."

(For a summary of the proposed FY 2010 HUD budget, visit HUD's website).

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.