REP. CALVERT REQUESTS MEETING WITH NEW HUD SECRETARY TO DISCUSS HOME FORECLOSURES

44^th CD of CA One of the Most Severely Impacted in the Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. January 29, 2009 – Today Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) sent a letter, along with 11 other Members of Congress, requesting a meeting with new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan.

“I have hosted and attended several housing assistance events and spoken with many constituents who are experiencing housing problems,” said Rep. Calvert.  “I would like the opportunity to share the feedback with the new Secretary to ensure that HUD’s efforts are effective and helping people in need.”

In part, the letter states:

“In the last 18 months, the foreclosure crisis has not improved in our districts, and in most places, it has worsened significantly.  In 2009 millions of Americans will default on their mortgages, and millions more will see their home equity drop precipitously.  That is why it is more imperative than ever that we pursue effective solutions that prevent foreclosures and respond to the dramatic loss of home equity.”

More than 112,000 Inland Empire properties received a foreclosure filing in 2008, which represents a foreclosure rate of roughly 8% of all housing units.  Last year, the region had the third highest foreclosure rate among the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas (Source: RealtyTrac, U.S. Foreclosure Market Report).

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