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Sen. Reid, FHLBank San Francisco Work With Nevada Churches to Increase Affordable Housing

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) today joined Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in sponsoring a Las Vegas Symposium that discussed how to increase affordable housing for senior citizens, immigrants and low-income residents of Nevada.

Held at Nevada Partners in North Las Vegas, the forum brought together religious leaders, housing activists and social service professions to develop an action plan for meeting the needs of the underserved.

"This forum is designed to combine the best ideas and approaches from both the community and local churches," Sen. Reid told the nearly 200 people at the forum. "Those of you in this room know better than anyone else the challenges we are facing. It is the work you do that fills in the cracks and provides a critical safety net for those in your congregations, parishes and temples."

Lawrence Parks, senior vice president of external and legislative affairs for Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, said that affordable housing is the foundation for strong and growing communities. He noted that religious organizations are playing a role across the country in helping increase affordable housing, and he said the FHLBank San Francisco and its member institutions want to help Nevada churches create more affordable housing.

"Affordable housing is the foundation for our neighborhoods and communities," Mr. Parks said. "We need to combine public and private sector resources, as well as engage the religious community in helping to meet the area's affordable housing needs. Sen. Reid has brought the leaders of many churches to the table today. We are hoping that new partnerships can be formed that will help create affordable housing."

Mr. Parks noted that the FHLBank San Francisco operates an Affordable Housing Program that awards millions of dollars each year for affordable housing projects, and he urged the local churches to apply for grants. Mr. Parks said the FHLBank San Francisco works with its member institutions to create opportunities with churches. Moreover, FHLBank San Francisco and its member institutions sponsored conferences for church leaders last year and in 2002, which explored ways for religious groups to tap conventional and alternative funding sources for housing.

Clearly, Sen. Reid believes that local churches can play a major role in creating affordable housing, as well as addressing other needs in underserved communities. "Because of this forum, and the input from each of you, we will put together a coordinated roadmap for meeting the needs of those who are suffering," Sen. Reid said. " ... we are called by our faith to serve humanity."

Throughout the day, participants attended workshops focused on unmet needs in areas such as affordable housing, homelessness, ex- offender re-entry, drug prevention, gang intervention, youth programs, senior services and immigration services.

Information from the day long workshops will be included in the development of a written community plan for meeting the needs of underserved communities. Sen. Reid and his staff said they will continue to direct the effort and will work with community leaders and experts.

"Today was just a beginning," Sen. Reid said. "The real work will come in the days and months ahead as we turn the ideas discussed today into projects and programs that bring real assistance to the people living in underserved communities. I am committed to ensuring that we achieve our objectives, and find ways to improve the quality of life for Nevada residents in underserved communities."

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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