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HUD HONORS 20 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH "DOORKNOCKER AWARD" FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
HUD partners recognized for their innovative use of HOME funding

WASHINGTON - The Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that its is recognizing 20 state and local governments around the country with the first national HOME Doorknocker Award for their outstanding work in providing affordable housing to low-income and underserved people. From building decent homes for migrant farm workers to providing rental assistance to young people aging out of foster care, each community represents a model for developing innovative housing solutions to meet the specific needs in their areas.

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced the awards to fifteen local communities and five state governments for their remarkable work in using federal funding provided through HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The announcement of the Doorknocker Awards also marks the 15 th anniversary of the HOME Program, the largest federal block grant program dedicated to producing affordable housing at the local level.

"Whether it's providing homeownership opportunities to lower income families looking to share in the American Dream or designing cutting edge affordable housing, these communities are proof that, working together, we can make a real difference," said Jackson. "These communities are leading the way toward building better communities and opening more doors to people who are most in need."

HUD presented the awards to the five state winners at HUD's HOME 15 th Anniversary State Celebration today in Washington, sponsored by HUD, the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) and the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA). Awards for the 15 local communities will be presented at HUD's HOME 15 th Anniversary Local Government Celebration on January 18 th with the National Community Development Association (NCDA), the National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED), and the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA).

Each year, HUD allocates approximately $2 billion to more than 600 state and local participating jurisdictions to increase the stock of affordable housing. Since program inception, over 550,000 affordable units have been completed and nearly 114,000 tenants have received rental assistance through the Department's HOME program.

Each award-winning project demonstrates how the flexibility provided by the HOME program can be used by state and local governments to meet the unique challenges of housing low-income families and expanding homeownership opportunities. These projects can serve as models for other jurisdictions throughout the country. To read more about each project, visit HUD's website.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

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