HUD SECRETARY CASTRO TO LEAD U.S. PLANNING FOR UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced Secretary Julián Castro will lead a group of government, public sector, non-governmental, academic, and philanthropic leaders to prepare for U.S. involvement in Habitat III (http://unhabitat.org/habitat-iii/), the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development scheduled to take place in 2016.

As the chairman of U.S. National Preparatory Committee, Castro, in coordination with the State Department and other Federal agencies, will work with leading policy thinkers to use Habitat III to share approaches and ideas to address vexing urban and housing challenges in the U.S. and across the globe.

In 1976, the United Nations convened Habitat I in Vancouver, Canada, which sparked an international conversation on urban issues. Twenty years later, at the Habitat II conference in Istanbul, Turkey, world leaders endorsed the Habitat Agenda as a global action plan to create adequate shelter for all. At Habitat III, participants will analyze progress made on commitments made at Habitat II and Member States will develop a "New Urban Agenda" that addresses 21st Century urban challenges and harnesses the tremendous potential of cities to promote sustainable development globally.

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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 http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDGov, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.