(Washington, DC, May 17, 2006) — Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen said today that she received assurances months ago that there was no truth to the rumors that HUD had a plan to turn Paul M. Pearson and other Virgin Islands housing communities under receivership into a condo development.  In a letter to Senator Shawn Malone, Christensen said that she had made the inquiry after attending a meeting with Pearson residents. 

“I took the opportunity to put HUD on notice that I will oppose any plan that does not come from the people of the community and is not supported by them,” said Christensen.  “I also told them that I have asked the Financial Services Committee for an inquiry into the practices of HUD during the receivership and have begun a process that will take the Virgin Islands Housing Authority out of receivership sooner rather than later.”