NeighborWorks America Names 2009 Government Service Award Recipients

Honors Federal, State, and Local Officials for Achievements in Affordable Housing and Community Development

Washington, D.C. - May 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today NeighborWorks America announced the 2009 NeighborWorks Government Service Award recipients, an honor that recognizes elected or appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels that have made significant contributions to improving the lives of the people in their communities through support for affordable housing and community development.

The 2009 NeighborWorks Government Service Award recipients are:

• Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, U.S. House of Representatives (D-NY), Federal Government Service Award: Velázquez was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Latina to lead a full Congressional committee – taking over as Chair of the Small Business Committee in 2006. She is a champion for financial literacy, housing counseling, fairness in lending, and affordable housing. From serving as New York’s most senior Member on the Financial Service Committee’s Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity to assembling a roundtable of housing and finance experts to address the foreclosure crisis, Velázquez has worked extensively to preserve affordable housing in her District and the nation, prevent predatory lending, increase the availability of housing counseling, and provide economic opportunities for public housing residents.

• Thomas C. Slater, Representative, Rhode Island House of Representatives, State Government Service Award:  For 15 years, Representative Slater has been a vocal proponent of affordable housing initiatives in Rhode Island, and demonstrated a deep-seeded commitment to community development.  This commitment led him to successfully sponsor $50 million housing bond legislation in 2006 that today funds the state’s affordable housing efforts.  Representative Slater not only sponsored this important measure, but participated in the development of an effective oversight and delivery system that ensures the state housing commission had sufficient funds to administer the bond program.  Representative Slater takes is always available to his constituents, takes time to work with directly with residents to draft and submit legislation that affects the lives of many. Representative Slater is accessible, honorable, dedicated and resourceful, and works tirelessly to improve the lives of Rhode Island residents.

• Joseph A. Belval, Housing Development Manager, City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department, Local Government Service Award: Joseph Belval has a strong history with and commitment to neighborhood revitalization, stemming from the late 1970’s when he worked as a community organizer in Chicago.  As Acting Development Manager, Belval is at the center of intensive, community-driven, neighborhood-specific strategies for Phoenix’s older, distressed neighborhoods, overcoming blight house-by-house and block-by-block.  Viewed equally as a leader and partner, Belval provides strategic guidance and coordination to eliminate blighted properties and does whatever it takes to acquire and transform the properties, and turn them into homeownership opportunities primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income persons. Belval’s commitment to his vision has produced 158 scattered-site infill homes to forward the city’s revitalization agenda.  Belval brings a generous and affirming spirit to all he does, tirelessly giving of his time and energy to his peers, his staff team and his partners in the community.

• Ken McCormick, Deputy District Attorney, Contra Costa County, Calif., Local Government Service Award: After criminally prosecuting fraudulent foreclosure rescue scam artists for the last two years, Contra County Deputy District Attorney McCormick wanted to do more to educate homeowners about the dangers of foreclosure rescue scams, and connect them to the appropriate resources.  McCormick, who also leads the county’s Real Estate fraud unit, developed a bilingual District Attorney Advisory letter that warns homeowners about foreclosure rescue scams and gives borrowers information about where to turn for legitimate help.  The letter is sent to all homeowners who receive default notices, which has resulted in a spike in client intakes at nonprofit housing counseling agencies.  Taking the foreclosure scam prevention even further, McCormick seamlessly connected foreclosure counselors to legal service providers, which enables both providers to refer clients to the appropriate channels when foreclosure scams have likely occurred. Because McCormick’s early recognition of the predatory environment created by the foreclosure crisis, more homeowners in Contra Costa County and neighboring counties are asking for, and receiving help to avoid foreclosure.

“The commitment demonstrated by these leaders at the federal, state and local government levels is ever more important given today’s challenges in the housing market and the economic crisis,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “The 2009 honorees recognize the far-reaching impact of community development efforts.  From supporting foreclosure intervention efforts and educating families about predatory foreclosure rescue scams, to ensuring residents have access to quality affordable housing, and revitalizing areas affected by blight, the 2009 honorees have made the communities they represent better places to live.  We are proud to honor them for their invaluable service.”

Honorees have achieved substantive accomplishments that include initiating and implementing public policies and programs that strengthen communities or expand the supply of affordable housing. They are in touch with their constituents – listening to their opinions and working with them to implement strategies and policies that succeed. Their demonstrated commitment and dedication make them stand out as leaders in touch with the people they serve.

Wade commended the award recipients for understanding the extensive influence that housing issues have on individuals, the local economy and the entire nation. For every dollar spent on quality, affordable housing, $35 are returned in the form of job creation, increased independence and tax contributions, new businesses, and access to higher education.

Learn more more information about the NeighborWorks Government Service Awards and the 2009 awardees. More informartion is also available by contacting Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ">, or Doug Robinson, 202-220-2360, ">.

About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ? more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.

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