WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From the Mayor's Office. May 31, 2005, (Edited): The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the City of White Plains has received the Robert L. Woodson, Jr. Award for their creative and effective affordable housing programs. The award is presented annually to three cities nationwide.
The Robert L. Woodson Jr. Award recognizes local governments for reducing regulatory barriers to affordable housing and serves to commend local governments for their outstanding work towards encouraging the production of homes affordable to working families. The City of White Plains will be presented with the award at a ceremony and reception at HUD Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on June 29th, 2005, and will also participate in a roundtable discussion.
The award comes about a week before, the Common Council will consider legislation to make available funds for loans to citizens to take out mortgages to buy affordable residential properties within the city. The details of this legislation are presently being written, and are expected to be before the Council in their June 6 Public Meeting. This expansion in the White Plains affordable housing initiative was announced at the last work session, and would include tapping developer payments that satisfy developer affordable housing unit obligations for such mortgages.
“This is a tremendous award for our community to receive. Affordable housing is a huge issue here in White Plains, and myself, along with the City staff and the Common Council, have taken proactive measures to provide affordable housing opportunities for those in need. This award is indicative of the commitment we have made to affordable housing, and it is clear our programs are effective, and that we are making substantial progress,” stated Mayor Joseph Delfino.
HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.
