Issue Position: Housing

Issue Position

Our housing market's recovery is central to strengthening our economy. With the rash of foreclosures in our community, my staff and I have been working with families to help them stay in their homes.

Working With California Democrats -- I will continue to join with my California Democratic colleagues to help local struggling families remain in their homes. As a delegation, we have urged banks to participate in the "Keep Your Home California" program, which helps homeowners at risk of foreclosure; requested that the President urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency to allow Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac owned mortgages to be refinanced; and requested the President to appoint a permanent Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. More should be done to protect homeowners from unfair foreclosures, which is why we asked the President to put forward a Homeowners' Bill of Rights. I am proud that President Obama has decided to include this in his housing plan.

Housing Foreclosure Summit - I will always fight for initiatives that will help Californians realize their dreams of owning a home. Recently, I brought together housing experts and local officials for housing summits to exchange ideas about solving our local housing crisis. By equipping city leaders with the necessary tools and strategies, we can work together to prevent families from losing their homes and help many others achieve their dream of home ownership.

Providing Veterans With Affordable Housing -- Veterans have worked hard to defend our nation and deserve access to affordable mortgages. In 2012, the America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act became law. This law includes provisions from a bill I championed that would make home mortgages more affordable for veterans. We must continue to take care of our veterans, and we owe it to them to make mortgages more affordable.

Preserving Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) -- I believe in the importance of strengthening our communities, which is why I have always been a strong advocate for the Community Development Block Grants program. CDBG funding provides communities with the resources to make sure that its residents have access to various services and programs. These programs fund emergency shelters, food for low income families, services for seniors, and recreational scholarships for needy children. This funding is crucial to the success of our communities, which is why I testified before Congress about the program's importance in 2005.

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