On Wednesday, September 25, 2002, Senator John Edwards (D-NC) testified before the Senate Committee on Banking's Subcommittee on Housing and Transportation at its hearing entitled Affordable Housing Production and Working Families.

Click here to view Senator Edwards's testimony

The testimony of Senator Edwards focused on the Rural Rental Housing Act (S.652), legislation that he sponsored, which would create a new program to finance rental housing in rural areas for low-income individuals and families. This legislation was an initiative of the National Rural Housing Coalition (NRHC).

The National Rural Housing Coalition also submitted testimony for the record outlining the need for rural housing production, the importance of the homeownership and rental programs at the USDA's Rural Housing Service, and support for the Rural Rental Housing Act.

Click here to view NRHC's testimony

Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO) also testified on his recent bill, the Affordable Housing Expansion Act (S.2967). William Picotte, President of the Housing Assistance Council and Board member of the National Rural Housing Coalition, testified before the Subcommittee as well, describing the role that non-profit housing organizations play in producing rural housing.