FIRST NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HOUSING COUNSELING NETWORK WINS RECOGNITION BY HUD

March 5, 2010

Washington DC - Last week the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the nation's first network of housing counseling organizations dedicated to serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) facing foreclosures or who need general housing counseling.  The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD), is now an intermediary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will support a national network of nonprofit community based organizations in ten states providing services in more than ten AAPI languages and communities. 

Without trusted and trained housing counseling organizations, AAPI communities often have nowhere to turn to access reliable information about their housing options in their own language or with an understanding of the community's cultural context.  The multilingual, nationwide network of AAPI housing counselors, trained professionals will be resources for their communities.  "Our goal is to support the development of best practices and national policies that will serve and protect all our communities," said Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of National CAPACD.  "Not only do we need to help homeowners and renters survive the present crisis but we also need to assure this melt down doesn't happen again." 

"HUD's recognition of National CAPACD is an important step forward for AAPI communities," said Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.  "Too many people have lost their homes in this foreclosure crisis.  With such great need, this designation for National CAPACD will support our community to get back on their feet. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is proud of National CAPACD's work."

According to Census data recently released, Asian Americans have suffered the largest percentage decline in homeownership of any racial group.  Many Asian American and Pacific Islander homeowners found it difficult to find help in the language or with the cultural understanding that they needed.  Others have been targeted by fraudulent or misleading vendors offering services that often resulted in the loss of their homes.  The network is providing counseling to homeowners facing foreclosure and community based financial education on strategies to find alternative housing opportunities.

"Low and moderate income families are facing much more challenging credit markets," said Congressman Al Green (TX-09).  "The creation of this national Asian American and Pacific Islander housing counseling network is essential towards efforts to help all families find and keep homes and the first step to securing the vibrancy of AAPI communities across the country.  I congratulate National CAPACD and its local partners on this significant milestone."

The National CAPACD was founded in 1999 as the first national organization dedicated to the housing and community development needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations. Established by community development practitioners, National CAPACD has built a network of over 100 organizations and individuals in 17 states, including Florida. Its members use innovative affordable housing, community development and organizing strategies to improve the well-being of low-income AAPIs. 

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Press Contact:
Jane Duong, National CAPACD
510-292-7359, [email protected]

Dr. Joy Bruce

President, NANAY

President, Asian American Federation of Florida

(305) 951-5552

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