Yesterday, NHC’s President and CEO Conrad Egan issued a statement in response to the Administration’s new “Livability Principles,” announced at a joint hearing, which are focused on cooperatively addressing housing, transportation, environmental and energy concerns. To learn more, please read Egan’s statement below:
“Today’s joint hearing held by the U.S. Senate Banking Committee with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson underscores the Administration’s clear commitment to developing comprehensive plans for communities that will cooperatively address the nation’s extensive housing, transportation, environmental and energy concerns.
Specifically, we applaud their introduction of a comprehensive set of ‘Livability Principles’ that will serve as the core objectives for this new HUD, DOT and EPA partnership, including: promoting equitable, affordable housing; providing more transportation choices; enhancing economic competitiveness; supporting existing communities; coordinating and leveraging federal policies and investments; and valuing communities and neighborhoods. These principles will also include an important ‘affordability index’ that will measure utility costs, encourage energy efficient mortgages and retrofits, or upgrades, that will translate into savings over the long-term.
NHC strongly supports the enthusiastic and strategic partnership taking shape between these critical departments and agencies. We are pleased that these leaders recognize the challenges associated with breaking down the current structures and then integrating them into a new inclusive planning process. We look forward to working with our partners in the Administration, in Congress, as well as at the state and local levels, to translate these principles into the creation of affordable, vibrant and healthy communities.”