By Eugene T. Lowe
May 12, 2003

Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino was honored on April 29 in Washington (DC) at the National Low Income Housing Coalition's 21st Annual Housing Leadership Awards Reception. The housing advocacy coalition cited Mayor Menino's work in elevating affordable housing during this year as the President of the Conference of Mayors. Housing LA which spearheaded a two-year campaign which led to the establishment of a $100 million housing trust fund in the city of Los Angeles was also honored.

Several members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation praised Mayor Menino during the reception ceremony. Senator Edward Kennedy, Representatives Barney Frank and Michael Capuano spoke highly of Mayor Menino's work in the city of Boston and his national leadership in housing.

Mayor Menino, in accepting the leadership award, said that although his term as President of the Conference of Mayors would end in a few weeks, he promised that he will still be involved with housing for years to come. Mayor Menino said that housing is an issue that he must be involved with.

Representative Maxine Waters (CA) also spoke during the reception in praise of Housing LA. She said that "Housing LA was a big deal to us..." Ms. Waters called for the passage of a National Housing Trust Fund, legislation that the National Low Income Housing Coalition has played a key role in bringing into the national housing debate.