NEWS HEADLINES

New Web Site Tracks Housing-Related Issues

By Donna Kimura

The presidential candidates have turned blue talking about how to end the Iraq War, revive a sagging economy, and provide health care, but do they have anything to say about affordable housing?

The issue is coming up more often than in past elections due to the subprime mortgage crisis and slumping housing market. Shining a light on what is being said by the candidates is the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). It has launched a new Web site, www.housing2008.org, that tracks the latest housing news from the campaign trail.

It’s a nonpartisan forum for discussing housing issues this election year, said Sheila Crowley, NLIHC president.

The site features a campaign news page as well as links to the candidates’ housing statements and positions. “We would like it to be interactive,” Crowley said, noting that people are encouraged to submit any housing-related comments that they hear from the candidates.

As the Nov. 4, 2008, election approaches and the field of contenders winnows, the NLIHC plans to gather even more data on the candidates’ positions on affordable housing.