Yesterday, community leaders, advocates and housing experts traveled the Nation’s
Capital to meet with White House officials about implementing the necessary solutions
to the housing crisis that has enveloped Georgia.
American
families continue to face a crisis in housing, with 2 million foreclosure
filings this year, and millions more at risk. Over 15 million homeowners are
underwater, meaning that their home is worth less than they owe on their
mortgage. Georgia is projected
to be one of the hardest hit states in the nation this year.
The crisis
is rooted in wrongdoing by lenders and Wall Street and inadequate rules and
enforcement. The misconduct included predatory sub-prime lending, targeting of
senior citizens, veterans, and communities of color, and bundling and pawning
off flawed mortgages, avoiding accountability. Those forces combined with
record long-term unemployment to bring our economy to the brink of collapse,
and continue to jeopardize our economic recovery.
The White
House invited Brigitte Walker and Christine Frazer, both with Occupy Our Homes, ATL to discuss their priorities
and possible solutions to the crisis moving forward. They were joined by over
150 other advocates and experts from across the country.
Brigitte Walker had the special honor of addressing the whole delegation, which included senor White House staff. She received a standing ovation on more than one occasion.
Brigitte and Christine met with key White House officials, including about specific solutions
ranging from principle reduction and affordable housing.
After the
White House meeting, participants visited the offices of Senators to
urge them to lead on bills currently under consideration, and other potential solutions to the housing crisis.
We are very excited that Christine and Brigitte where the ones who were chosen to represent Georgia and find them to be extremely appropriate choices as they both have struggled hard through our states historic housing crisis. We are also very grateful to the Home Defenders League for making their trip possible!
Great story. Congrats to Chris, Brigitte, Ladie (I saw you in the background), OOHA and Home Defenders League for such inspiring and motivation on this subject that affects millions of people. Great job!
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