By Eugene T. Lowe
June 23, 2003

HUD Deputy Secretary Alphonso Jackson's remarks to the Conference of Mayors on June 7 Plenary Session in Denver centered around three areas: homeownership, HUD Faith-Based Outreach Initiative, and HUD and Cities. This was the Deputy Secretary's second appearance before the mayors; the first was at the Detroit Annual Meeting, two years ago.

Jackson reminded the mayors that "last June in Atlanta, the President made a commitment that we would create 5.5 million new homeowners by the year 2010." Jackson added that "in this country the homeownership rate is about 70 percent, but for minorities it is less than 50 percent." He said that the "President talked about the homeownership gap that existed and that we must do something about it." What was created was an American homeownership challenge. Jackson said that "the President called on Fannie, Freddie, CitiesFirst and others to make a commitment to help him close that gap". The Deputy Secretary reported that "we are on the road to closing that gap."

Jackson said, however, that closing the gap in homeownership has not been easy. "When the goal was set out, there were those who believed that we could not accomplish it. They began to talk about the regulations that might prohibit it." He said that the question he asked:"Did God write the regulations? If God wrote the regulations we won't touch them. But if one of us wrote them, they can be flexible. And today, we are moving forward with flexible rules and regulations." The Deputy Secretary told the mayors that the HUD staff have been finding a way to make things work. He said further: "We have worked with cities that have had projects on the drawing board for years."

HUD's Faith-Based Outreach Initiative that has been proposed is also important, the Deputy Secretary noted. "I believe that government can only do so much. The cities can only do so much. Faith-based organizations are willing and able to address some of the ills in our cities and counties." Jackson said, however, that HUD has met resistance to its faith-based initiative. He said: "There seems to be some strange belief that if faith-based organizations help then religion will become an integral part." Jackson said pointedly: "This is not our goal."

Finally, Jackson closed his remarks with his thoughts on the relationship of HUD to the cities. He said: "We can have as much theory as we want, but in order to carry out the mandate of this country, we must be practical and pragmatic. In the final analysis, without the help of the mayors of these great cities, no matter what we do at HUD, or how well we think we-ve done at HUD, without your cooperation we cannot make our urban centers work. Therefore, from the President, the Secretary and myself, we are making a plea to you today to work with us. Don't hesitate to call on us. Together, we can change the structure of this country."