> Policy Committee Session HOUSING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Surrey I Chair Rep. Larry W. Womble (NC) 1st Vice Chair Del. Michael L. Vaughn (MD) 2nd Vice Chair Sen. Yvonne B. Miller (VA) NBCSL Policy Staff Faye Anderson JURISDICTION This committee develops policies and solutions to the nation’s housing problem. It examines state and federal policies and regulations that address homeownership, housing and mortgage lending discrimination, low-income housing, predatory lending practices, homelessness, land use planning, neighborhood revitalization, eminent domain, and related issues. TOPIC Hurricane Katrina Evacuees: Homeward Bound or Road to Nowhere? In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, FEMA provided travel trailers to hurricane survivors who have up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration to find permanent housing. While FEMA has extended the February 28, 2007, deadline for temporary housing assistance, the availability of affordable housing is crucial to the recovery of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The panelists will discuss legislative, and public and private initiatives to increase the availability of affordable housing, including low-income residents and renters. They will also address the importance of framing the issue to broaden the constituency in support of affordable housing. PANELISTS Sen. Diana E. Bajoie (LA) Vice Chair, Housing Task Force, Louisiana Recovery Authority C. Donald Babers Housing Authority of New Orleans, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Marty Kooistra Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations, Habitat for Humanity Rachel Wilch Policy Analyst, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans Tracie L. Washington Director, NAACP Gulf Coast Advocacy Center