LAC joins 1st Asian American Housing Network recognized by HUD

At the end of February, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the nation’s first network of housing counseling organizations dedicated to serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) facing foreclosures or who need general housing counseling.

The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD), is now an intermediary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will support a national network of nonprofit community based organizations in ten states providing services in more than ten AAPI languages and communities.

As part of CAPACD’s network of local affiliates, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota (LACM) here in Minneapolis will now receive the well-deserved recognition of the important housing services they are providing to the Lao community. “We are very excited about the partnership with National CAPACD and the significant impact it will have on our housing counseling program,” said Sunny Chanthanouvong, Executive Director at LACM. “Lao families are losing their homes in foreclosure and paying thousands of dollars to scam artists. We hope to be a resource for our community to help families avoid foreclosure and avoid becoming a victim of fraud.”

“HUD’s recognition of National CAPACD is an important step forward for AAPI communities,” said Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “Too many people have lost their homes in this foreclosure crisis. With such great need, this designation for National CAPACD will support our community to get back on their feet. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is proud of National CAPACD’s work.”

According to Census data recently released, Asian Americans have suffered the largest percentage decline in homeownership of any racial group. Many Asian American and Pacific Islander homeowners found it difficult to find help in the language or with the cultural understanding that they needed. Others have been targeted by fraudulent or misleading vendors offering services that often resulted in the loss of their homes. The network is providing counseling to homeowners facing foreclosure and community based financial education on strategies to find alternative housing opportunities.

“Our goal is to support the development of best practices and national policies that will serve and protect all our communities,” said Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of National CAPACD. “Not only do we need to help homeowners and renters survive the present crisis but we also need to assure this melt down doesn’t happen again.”

For more information you can visit online at www.laocenter.org or come to their offices at 503 Irving Avenue North in Minneapolis.