Recognizing National Homeownership Month

RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH

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Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 854, a resolution recognizing June 2006 as National Homeownership Month, a time for individuals and families to reach for part of the American dream and purchase a home of their own.

In recognition of National Homeownership Month and in my capacity as Chairman and Co-founder of the Congressional Rural Housing Caucus, I became an original co-sponsor of House Resolution 854.

In the United States, each individual has the opportunity to own a home of their own. Homeownership inspires civic responsibility. Homeowners are more likely to vote and get involved with local issues.

Families owning a home are able to offer children a stable living environment. In many cases, homeownership influences a child's personal development in many positive, measurable ways.

Twenty percent of our Nation's population lives in rural communities, yet a majority of these families live in substandard housing conditions.

These communities simply do not have the resources--either economic or infrastructure--to address the problems of substandard housing. The gap between the haves and have nots continues to grow, especially in rural America. Now is the time to stem this tide.

According to the Census Bureau, 48 percent of African-Americans; and, 50 percent of Hispanics owned a home as of the first quarter in 2006. While many gains have been made, lagging minority homeownership rates are a serious concern to me and Congress.

Rural America and minorities are in dire need of housing assistance--and we should all strive to make every month ``homeownership month.''

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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