Central Valley Lawmakers Call on HUD to Reconsider Closure of Sacramento and Fresno Field Offices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
CONTACT:
Jonelle Trimmer (Matsui) 202-225-7163
Lauren Smith (McNerney) 202-225-1947
Matthew Kravitz (Garamendi) (202) 225-1880
Allison Teixeira (Bera) 202-225-5716
Central Valley Lawmakers Call on HUD to Reconsider Closure of Sacramento and Fresno Field Offices
Today, Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), John Garamendi (CA-03) and Ami Bera (CA-07) sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urging HUD to reconsider closure of field offices located in Sacramento and Fresno. HUD announced today that they are closing and consolidating field offices around the country.
A PDF copy of the signed letter is available here.
The full text of the letter is below:
April 24, 2013
Dear Secretary Donovan:
It has come to our attention that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be closing and consolidating a number of field offices around the country. Two of the offices being considered for closure are located in Sacramento and Fresno. We write to you to ask you to reconsider this decision.
California's Central Valley has, unfortunately, led the Nation in foreclosures and many of us have had serious concerns in the past about HUD's commitment to serving the region. Cities such as Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno saw home values plummet and many homeowners saw the American Dream of homeownership vanish. While our communities have begun to see modest reductions in the number of foreclosures, HUD's assistance will be imperative to ensure affordable homeownership opportunities exist, sustainable community practices are implemented, and that the public housing sector remains viable. HUD's presence in these regions is needed to ensure that its headquarters and regional offices are aware of the challenges our communities face.
HUD's presence in the Central Valley has provided critical assistance by helping public housing authorities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations understand the department's programs and policies, thus allowing for better service to the organizations that serve our constituents. Although larger HUD offices exist in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the offices slated for closure are positioned to assist with needs specific to our communities which have struggled with significantly high foreclosure rates over the last five years. We know budget constraints force tough decisions, but we firmly believe HUD's offices in Sacramento and Fresno have benefited our communities and will continue to do so.
Again, we request that you consider all possible alternatives that would maintain a HUD presence in the Central Valley. We look forward to a response regarding this important issue.
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