1. Talking Points:
1.) Progressively greater “hands-on” experience working for a major public housing
authority and thereby understands the challenges facing HUD;
2.) An early (pre Iowa) and consistent contributor to the Obama campaign;
3.) Through his long-standing membership in the Council of Large Public Housing
Authorities he has participated in public housing policy debates for over fifteen
years. He understand the basic legislative “reforms” and changes that have taken
place and has a sure grasp and appreciation of the varying stakeholder positions;
3.) Familiar with key housing authorization staff on the House side for over the last
10 years
4.) A leading advocate for and practictioner of performance funding for energy
efficiency in public housing
5.) Extensive experience in local government
6.) He understands public housing finance because he has participated in nearly every
available variation while administering New Bedford’s capital program. He
knows, through hard experience, HUD’s shortcomings. He appreciates that basic
changes are needed;
7.) He is aware of the program’s financial difficulties but is also aware of new
opportunities presented by the Affordable Housing Trust. He would be an ideal
leader of an effort to implement its provisions;
7.)
