On 50th Anniversary of HUD Rangel Vows to Keep Fighting For Affordable Housing

Statement

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Department of Housing and Urban Development which is September 9th 2015.

"Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which was created in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to address the challenges facing residents in urban communities. For the last 50 years, HUD has achieved many of its goals, from providing affordable housing, increasing homeownership, tackling homelessness, to fueling economic development.

Since its founding HUD has insured over 44 million home mortgages and in the last three years alone has insured the loans of 1.6 million borrowers. From 2010 to 2014, under the leadership of President Barack Obama's Opening Doors plan, chronic homelessness has dropped 21 percent and homelessness among veterans has dropped 33 percent. For more than 50 years, HUD and its dedicated employees have helped America's families to find a place where they can call home.

I proudly authored the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program that continues to generate investments in low- and moderate-income housing construction and rehabilitation. This permanent program is responsible for most affordable housing construction nationwide in the last decade, including more than 5,000 apartment units in Upper Manhattan. Today, affordable housing in New York City is extremely difficult to find, which is why I have been demanding a moratorium on luxury housing in our city. The opportunity to provide a home for one's family should not be a luxury.

A home is the center of a family's life. It is where people start their days and end their nights. It often serves as the foundation for one's future. No one in our country should be without a home. I am committed to ensuring our cities are filled with hope and possibility for everyone. I will continue to fight for affordable housing in our congressional district and throughout the nation."

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