HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced as keynote speaker for Homes for All 2010 Conference

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan is coming to Minnesota to help chart the future of building sustainable communities. Secretary Donovan will be the keynote speaker at the Homes for All 2010 conference at the St. Paul RiverCentre on Monday, November 8th.

“On November 8 – less than one week after the election – we will look over a new political landscape to chart a path that leads to affordable homes for all Minnesotans,” says event co-sponsor and MN Housing Partnership Executive Director, Chip Halbach. “We have much to learn from what Secretary Donovan has initiated and we hope to build upon this new federal approach to create the housing and jobs our communities need.”

Secretary Donovan’s visit follows the announcement of a $5 million dollar HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant for the Twin Cities, the largest such grant in the nation. The money will improve transit options, increase access to jobs, create affordable housing and advance energy efficiency in Twin Cities neighborhoods. To foster sustainable planning in rural areas, HUD awarded $825,000 to the Region 5 Development Commission based in Staples, MN.

”We know from our work to revitalize neighborhoods hard hit by this housing crisis that collectively we need resources, planning and tools to make change,” says event co-sponsor and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity President, Sue Haigh. “This is a chance for policy leaders and community members to take on that planning process. We are grateful to Secretary Donovan for being part of this conversation.”

Secretary Donovan will join community leaders, state and municipal elected officials, and potentially the new Governor at the conference. All three major party candidates, Mark Dayton, Tom Horner and Tom Emmer, have all been invited to address attendees in their role as the Governor-Elect.

”I am pleased HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan will be coming to the Twin Cities to speak,” says Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN) who will be taking part in the Homes for All 2010 conference. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Secretary to hear directly from advocates and community leaders about the importance of affordable housing. I look forward to working with Secretary Donovan when Congress reconvenes next year to make affordable housing a major priority in Washington. “

Homes for All is held every four years to coincide with Minnesota’s major election cycle. This will be the third conference. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend. Over 40 organizations came together to plan and fund the event. Online registration is available at https://www.homesforallmn.org/. The fee is $50 through October, 27th and $65 after that.

Official photos for publication: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/about/secretary/photos

WHAT: Homes for All 2010 Conference
WHEN: Monday, November 8th 8am-6pm
WHERE: St. Paul RiverCentre
CONTACT: Matt Haugen, Communications Manager, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity matt.haugen@tchabitat.org
Office: 612-305-7126 Cell: 612-387-8214