News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

August 14, 2002

HARMAN HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SOUTH BAY

-- TOURS NEW HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT IN VENICE -

VENICE - US Congresswoman Jane Harman highlighted the need for affordable housing with a tour of a new Habitat for Humanity site today in Venice.

Joined by David Emenhiser, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles area Habitat for Humanity, Harman viewed the new housing development and met with workers at the site. The new site, located at 5th and Broadway in Venice, incorporates the use of volunteer builders to construct two new homes for low-income residents.

"Southern California has some of the highest housing costs in the nation," said Harman, who pointed to recent reports that production of all types of housing in Southern California has fallen well below peak levels from the mid-1980s.

Rep. Harman volunteers at an affordable housing construction site in Venice sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.

"To remain economically competitive, Los Angeles must have housing that is affordable to workers with a wide range of incomes. We need effective policies to increase supply as well as to provide first-time purchase and rental assistance to low and middle-income families," said Harman. "Our community also benefits enormously from this new Habitat for Humanity project."

Harman commended the local non-profit organization Youthbuild, which assists at-risk teens to learn housing construction skills and to complete their high school education. Program participants enhance their skills as they build and rehabilitate affordable housing for low and moderate-income families.

Last year, Harman helped to secure a $300,000 federal grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for Youthbuild's training program.

Following the tour of the Habitat site, Harman met with community leaders Ann Murphy and Steve Clare of the Venice Community Housing Corporation to discuss affordable housing issues in the Venice area.

Harman and her family live in Venice.

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