Press Room

December 5, 2005
Contact: Julie Senter (909) 396-9993

NEW HOUSING COALITION ADVOCATES FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES — California homeowners, business leaders and civic leaders are joining forces with the building industry to advocate for more housing opportunities in California, home to the least affordable housing markets in the country.

The new coalition, known as the American Dream Team, plans to advocate for reduced housing costs, responsible planning and increased homeownership opportunities. Working together with a strong voice, the team will speak out on legislation and local ordinances that directly affect the cost and supply of housing in California.

The team launched a new website this week — www.theamericandreamteam.org — as a resource to educate Californians on the causes of the state’s housing crisis and to offer tools for contacting local, state and federal officials who can help solve the problem. Team members also plan to also contact officials to protest onerous laws and regulations that would increase housing costs or hinder production or responsible planning.

"Housing costs are out of control and we must get a handle on the source of the problem to make a real difference," said Richard Lambros, CEO of Building Industry Association of Southern California. "So often government passes laws with certain intent, but those laws have a domino effect that raises home prices drastically. This team will help educate our leaders on the ramifications of their decisions and help them to see the whole picture and not just one slice of it."

Members of the media wanting more information on the American Dream Team may contact Julie Senter at the Building Industry Association of Southern California at (909) 396-9993 or email jsenter@biasc.org.