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CAPAC Members Denounce Cuts to Housing Counseling Assistance Programs

April 14, 2011

CAPAC Members Denounce Cuts to Housing Counseling Assistance Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released statements denouncing $88 million in cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Counseling Assistance programs in the 2011 Continuing Resolution. These cuts would zero out funding for various community based housing counseling programs and force many to close down in October of this year.

Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC Chairwoman:

“The 2011 budget made severe cuts that hurt the Asian Pacific American Community and our nation’s economic recovery. By eliminating the Housing Counseling Assistance Program, struggling families who rely on in-language and culturally appropriate assistance to stay in their homes will potentially face devastating consequences.  Asian Pacific Americans who default on their mortgages loans are more likely to enter foreclosure than seek a loan modification and we have suffered the largest percentage decline in homeownership of any racial group. We need support for programs that will reverse these trends, stabilize our neighborhoods and rebuild our economy. That is why I will continue to fight alongside our community to ensure that Asian Pacific American’s voices are heard.”

Congressman Al Green, CAPAC Housing Taskforce Chair:

“As our economy is recovering, we cannot afford to lose the important services provided by housing counseling for those at risk of improper foreclosures as well as programs that support first-time homebuyers, homeowners, renters and homeless families. Minority communities, including the AAPI community were victims of predatory lending and as such, would benefit from pre-purchase and pre-foreclosure housing counseling now more than ever. Without housing counseling, first time homebuyers will not receive the important guidance for navigating the home purchase process, seniors will not receive federally mandated counseling to receive reverse mortgages, and many facing improper foreclosures will lose their most valuable asset, their home.”


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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently Chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.