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Blumenauer Outlines Link Between Livable Communities & Social Equity

June 20, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR) addressed the National Neighborhood Coalition members to discuss federal policy developments that affect access to housing and transportation in low-income areas.

The speech outlined the promise of a variety of federal policies and community-based strategies that seek to alleviate urban poverty through improving housing conditions and access to transportation. Blumenauer covered such themes as:

· The link between housing distribution and equity;
· How transportation opportunities benefit low-income communities and the importance of such provisions in the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act;
· Direct federal participation in mixed use buildings;
· Location efficient mortgages; and
· Affordable housing legislation developments.

The National Neighborhood Coalition (NNC) serves as the national voice for neighborhoods by providing a crucial link to Washington for neighborhood and community based organizations. Formed in 1979, the NNC fosters collaboration among local, regional and national organizations working to build sustainable communities and strengthen the role of community and neighborhood-based nonprofits as problem solvers and community builders. The NNC sponsors a monthly forum that features presentations by senior government officials, advocacy for neighborhoods, an informational clearinghouse on affordable housing, and the nationally acclaimed newspaper, The NNC Voice.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer is a Democrat from Portland, Oregon. He is the congressional leader and spokesman for the Livable Communities movement, which helps ensure that communities are safe, healthy and economically secure through policies that encourage smart growth, environmental responsibility, economic vitality, and more diverse transportation and housing choices. He serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House International Relations Committee and is active on trade, technology, defense and environmental issues.