WASHINGTON, DC — According to the National Housing Conference (NHC), “over 13 million American families, including four million low-to-moderate-income working families, have critical housing needs — that is they spend more than 50% of their incomes for housing or live in severely substandard housing.”

NHC says, “The current lack of decent affordable housing all across this country is a problem with far-reaching consequences for our workforce and our economy.” The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fiscal year 2002 appropriation, says the organization, is less than fiscal year 2001 and does not meet the present need.

“We must commit the necessary resources to solve this problem in a realistic and comprehensive manner, keeping in mind that housing is historically a proven stimulus to economic growth and has been a key factor in leading us out of recessions since the end of World War II.”