January 22, 2008

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation reauthorizing the HOPE VI program, which rehabilitates or replaces severely distressed public housing projects with mixed-use, mixed-income developments.  The proposal includes energy efficiency and green construction requirements that Granholm and five other governors requested in a letter last week to U.S. House leaders. 
 
"I applaud the House of Representatives for passing HOPE VI legislation and look forward to action in the U.S. Senate," said Governor Granholm.  "With the cost of energy increasing, using energy efficient construction in homes and commercial developments is a common-sense way to reduce the energy costs for families and businesses."
 
In the letter sent to key House members, the governors noted state efforts to implement energy saving policies in residential and commercial buildings and voiced support of efforts to include green building provisions in the final bill.
 
"We have led efforts to incorporate green criteria into our housing policies and commercial developments" said the governors.  "We believe that the inclusion of sustainable development criteria within HOPE VI would represent a major step forward in the path towards greener, healthier, and more efficient homes and work environments."
 
Granholm also urged the Senate to act on other housing legislation already passed by the House.
 
"As the housing crisis continues, it is important that the Senate quickly reauthorize and strengthen the Federal Housing Administration, enact legislation banning predatory lending practices, and reform regulation of certain government-sponsored entities, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac," said Granholm.
 
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking and Urban Affairs is expected to address several key pieces of housing legislation this year.

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