Who:
U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma)
Larry Parks, Senior Vice President, Federal Home Loan         Bank of San Francisco (FHLBSF)
California Housing Finance Agency
California Dept. of Housing and Community Development,         Div. of Community Affairs
Sheila Burks, Senior Deputy Director, Fannie Mae         Bay Area Partnership Office Community Leaders

What:
“A Discussion on Homeownership Access to Capital and Programs”

Rep. Woolsey and FHLBSF will hold a discussion on ways to assist working families with home financing in Sonoma County. Community business and housing leaders, bankers, elected officials, and others have been invited to share information on affordable mortgage opportunities available through public/private partnerships.

When:
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon

Where:
DoubleTree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country
Coatati/Bodega Room
One DoubleTree Drive
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma County is among the most expensive housing markets in the country. The median sale price of a home in Sonoma County is over $350,000.

This causes a dilemma for the entire community because working families cannot live near their places of employment. Increased commuter traffic leads to more highway congestion, businesses have trouble recruiting qualified candidates because of the high cost of living, and parents are robbed of time with their children because they must live far away from their jobs.

“Affordable housing gives young families a leg-up and is a key component to the economic development of our neighborhoods,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey. Rep. Woolsey works to strengthen our communities and make it easier for families to balance family and career. She co-sponsored the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act and the First Time Home Buyer’s Assistance Act. She is also a member of the Livable Communities Task Force, which identifies ways that federal government can be a better partner in promoting community livability.

###