WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 11, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — More than 700 people attended a Rally for Homeownership today in Richmond to tell candidates running for the White House and Congress that Americans believe that homeownership is a cherished ideal that strengthens families, creates jobs and builds a strong and prosperous nation.
Speakers at the rally included:
• Carrie Roth, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, speaking on behalf of Gov. Bob McDonnell
• Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones
• Terry McAuliffe, businessman and former candidate for governor
• Laura Lafayette, CEO of the Richmond Association of Realtors
• Delegate John Cosgrove, housing commission chair
• Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla.
• Sarah Kellam, president of the Home Building Association of Richmond
• Brian Mullins, president of the Home Builders Association of Virginia
• Kevin Klein, home owner
Richmond morning news host Jimmy Barrett of WRVA-1140 served as emcee at the event.
“Despite the housing market crisis and economic uncertainties, homeownership continues to play a vital role in the economic vitality of the Commonwealth,” said Gov. McDonnell in a statement. “It is critical that we continue to support sound policy that encourages job creation and keeps the door open for Virginians to reap the benefits of responsible homeownership.”
“Homeownership builds the American family,” said McAuliffe. “The idea we would take away the mortgage interest deduction means millions of Americans could not move into a home. We need to stop that.”
The rally was held at Richmond CenterStage and was sponsored by the Home Building Association of Richmond, the Home Builders Association of Virginia and NAHB.
The home builder groups joined with consumer advocates, Realtors, local Chambers of Commerce, politicians, church groups and others to highlight the importance of homeownership.
“We want to protect everything to cause homeownership to remain as a staple of America,” said Mayor Jones. “Let’s make sure we don’t have any changes to the mortgage interest deduction.”
Rally participants represented a broad range of interests including home owners, small business owners, church groups, home builders and real estate agents, consumers, business leaders, politicians, merchants and manufacturers, bankers, students and many others.
“Homeownership is a core American value that strengthens communities and contributes to a thriving nation,” said NAHB Chairman Rutenberg. “Every new home that’s built and bought in this country stimulates job growth and generates thousands of dollars in new spending across an incredibly broad span of industries and services.”
For more information, visit www.protecthomeownership.com/rally.
