DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
LAND USE AND HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING

Thursday, April 3, 2008
10:00 A.M.

AGENDA

1. Welcome
Barry Seymour, Executive Director, DVRPC

2. Introductions
Lynn T. Bush, Executive Director, Bucks County Planning Commission and Chairperson, Land Use and Housing Committee, DVRPC

3. Housing in Crisis: National Trends, Community Impacts, and the Federal Government Response
Engram Lloyd, Philadelphia Homeownership Center Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and John Bravacos, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Region III Regional Director John Bravacos and Philadelphia Homeownership Center Director Engram Lloyd will discuss the current status of and trends related to the mortgage foreclosure crisis. They will examine the national and local impacts of vacant neighborhoods and challenges for local fiscal entities. The presentation will include a discussion of housing and community impacts such as affordability, homelessness, and challenges for builders, developers, and their partners. Finally, the speakers will discuss solutions available now and in the works.

4. A Regional Look at Predatory Lending and Subprime Mortgage Foreclosures
Ira Goldstein, Ph.D., Director, Policy and Information Services, TRF

In his current work at TRF and previous position as Director of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for the Mid-Atlantic region at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ira Goldstein has been extensively involved in regional housing policy and research. Dr. Goldstein will present his recent work on predatory lending in Philadelphia and mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures in the region.

5. Local Strategies to Confront the Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis
Mayor Douglas Palmer, Mayor of Trenton and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors

As the Mayor of the City of Trenton and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Douglas Palmer is at the forefront of efforts to forge local government solutions to the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Mayor Palmer will discuss the task force he launched in Trenton with mortgage lenders, state agencies, housing counselors, and community and faith-based groups to help homeowners prevent foreclosure. He will discuss the work of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in identifying the strategies cities can pursue to combat mortgage foreclosures and their ripple effect across the economy.

6. Member Updates
Members are invited to give two-minute updates on current activities or initiatives.

7. Old Business

8. New Business
Dates are set for the remaining LUHC meetings for FY08. Please mark your calendars to attend on June 5.

9. Adjournment