STATEMENT FROM HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY MEL MARTINEZ REACTING TO TODAY'S 8.2 PERCENT INCREASE IN HOUSING STARTS

"Today's announcement of an 8.2 percent increase in housing construction in the month of November is a strong indicator that our housing market remains robust. The combination of low interest rates and high home values is helping keep the housing market one of the driving forces in the nation's economy."

"But housing cannot do it alone. It is for this reason I join the President in calling on the United States Senate to act quickly to provide critically needed economic stimulus to our nation's economy. The sooner the Senate acts, the better it will be for Americans feeling increasingly apprehensive about their jobs or who may wonder how they will meet their mortgage payment or rent. President Bush and I believe very strongly the Congress should listen to the American people and approve the President's stimulus package before the New Year."

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