MASSACHUSETTS : U.S. to Aid Latino Homeownership

The federal government is making a new push to help Latinos buy homes, with plans for a $4-million advertising campaign as well as other initiatives, Housing Secretary Henry G. Cisneros said in Boston. At the beginning of this year, 41.4% of Latino households were homeowners. The goal is to raise that to 47% during the next four years. In addition to the ad campaign in Spanish and English explaining homeownership opportunities, the Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to set up outreach programs, offer Spanish-speaking help on a toll-free hotline, and work with lending institutions to help them better understand the Latino community.