Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, May 8, 2002

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Soil* 304 315 Conn on Ноше Office Building Lutherville, Morylood 2 1 093 Woehington, D C 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Wednesday, May 8, 2002 202/225-3061 Secretary Martinez and Congressman Ehrlich Tout Baltimore Housing Initiatives WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) and the Honorable Mel Martinez, President Bush's Secretary for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), praised two housing initiatives while on site visits to the region Tuesday. Congressman Ehrlich stated, "I was honored to host Secretary Martinez for a visit to these innovative community empowerment efforts. Today's visit underscores that dedicated local folks can partner with the federal government to help their neighbors live with independence and dignity." Congressman Ehrlich and Secretary Martinez were given a tour of Trinity House, an assisted living facility in Towson, where they discussed quality of life with several of the facility's 82 residents and met with management to discuss housing issues. Trinity House was built with Section 202 HUD funds and accepts elderly residents who are eligible for HUD's Section 8 vouchers. In addition, Trinity House is managed in part by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, making it an excellent example of the public/private partnerships outlined by President Bush in his faith-based initiative. Congressman Ehrlich has championed President Bush's faith-based proposal, which allows charitable groups to compete on a level playing field when providing secular charitable services to the nation's poor. "Secretary Martinez and the Bush Administration deserve credit for helping make Trinity a great place to call home," Ehrlich added. Later in the day, Congressman Ehrlich and Secretary Martinez met with members of the Sankofa Community Development Corporation. Sankofa is working closely with HUD and the City of Baltimore to revitalize the long-troubled Upland Apartment Complex in West Baltimore City.