SHAHEEN, LOCAL HOUSING OFFICIALS, ADDRESS HOUSING CRISIS AT MANCHESTER ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today discussed the importance of getting the housing market moving again at a roundtable discussion in Manchester with New Hampshire housing advocates and a new first-time homebuyer. The meeting, which took place in first-time homebuyer Katie Wilson’s newly purchased home, focused on the difficulties facing the housing industry, efforts to boost the housing market, and President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable” housing plan. Shaheen and Wilson were joined by representatives from NeighborWorks Greater Manchester, the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, and Community Development Finance Authority, as well as a local realtor, builder, and loan consultant.
“There is no greater goal right now than stabilizing the economy, and a major piece of accomplishing that goal is getting the housing market moving again by encouraging home ownership and stopping foreclosures,” said Senator Shaheen. “This is an issue of deep concern to me and I believe we must take quick action to help New Hampshire families stay in their homes and protect responsible homeowners who have seen their home values fall through no fault of their own.”
“I’m pleased to finally see signs of the housing market moving in the right direction,” said Robert Tourigny, Executive Director of NeighborWorks Greater Manchester. Folks like Katie who have been waiting for the right time to purchase are now able to get off the fence thanks to the initiative of Senator Shaheen.”
Shaheen successfully fought to extend the first-time homebuyers tax credit in the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) of 2009. In addition, she fought to ensure the ARRA increased funding for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, which provides funds to encourage the development of affordable housing. This effort resulted in New Hampshire receiving an estimated $8.4 million to develop affordable housing at a time when some developers and investors are hesitant to enter or even stay in the market.
