November 03, 1999
District Announced as Pilot City for HUD Partnership
District Chosen as part of National Initiative to Build One Million New Homes in Next Ten Years
(Washington, D.C.) The District was named today as one of 14 pilot cities for U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's national initiative to build an additional one million new homes over the next 10 years. Secretary Andrew Cuomo made the announcement during a ceremony marking the 50th Anniversary of the Housing Act of 1949.
As a pilot city, the District will initiate innovative approaches to reduce barriers to new construction and foster, creative relationships with home builders and the home building industry to increase the number, quality and affordability of new housing.
"We are excited to be part of this great initiative and will do our part in making this program successful in Washington. The availability of new homes will ultimately attract more residents into the District," said Mayor Williams. "Our goal is for the District to be the nation's leader in home ownership."
The District plans to develop a strategy to quickly dispose of abandoned homes, work with home builders to increase access to building within the District where there is a strong demand for new homes. The District also will provide funds for infrastructure development and maintenance. The city will develop other partnerships with the major financing institutions like Fannie Mae to increase homeownership in the District, and will identify sites for infill development of infill housing.
An advisory council, Council on Building Homes in America's Cities, will monitor the initiative's progress, develop models of successful approaches and compile and communicate best practices and agreements. The Council consists of representatives from HUD, the National Association of Home Builders, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and community-based organizations.
Other pilot cities include Baltimore, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Chicago and Louisville.
