Ellison Receives Housing Leadership Award From National Low Income Housing Coalition

Washington, D.C. – April 15, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Keith Ellison (D-5th Congressional District) recently received the 2010 Edward W. Brooke III Housing Leadership Award from the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) for advancing the cause of affordable housing.

Ellison was recognized for his authorship of the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 that became federal law under the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. According to this legislation, tenants who are current on their rent payments have the right to stay in their home that enters foreclosure for 90 days or through the end of their lease. According to the NLIHC, 40 percent of foreclosed properties nationwide were occupied by tenants. In Minneapolis, this rate was over 60 percent. These protections are set to expire at the end of 2012.

“I am humbled by this honor and steadfast in my commitment to further the mission of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. We often speak of the need for stability in the lives of children and families. There is no better symbol of stability than a safe and affordable place to call home. The foreclosure crisis has hurt Americans of all walks of life. However, many low-income Americans and renters were even more unfairly injured by the acts of some irresponsible banks and landlords,” Ellison said.

Last month, the Fifth District Congressman introduced the Permanently Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2010 (H.R.4766). This bill simply makes the tenant protection law permanent. “The Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act was critical to keeping many families off the streets. But the fight for more equitable housing policies goes on. That’s why I introduced the Permanently Protect Tenants at Foreclosure Act to give tenants permanent protection,” Ellison stated.

“It is fitting and right that Congressman Keith Ellison is presented with the first Edward W. Brooke III Housing Leadership Award by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Congressman Ellison has been a leading voice for safe and affordable housing for low income Americans, and we are honored to recognize him with this award. The Congressman was instrumental in the enactment of the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure act, which was signed into law in May 2009. As a direct result of his work, families all over the country no longer confront the immediate loss of their home when their landlord faces foreclosure,” stated Sheila Crowley, President of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.