We just uploaded a new policy video and thought we would share it with you.
Jim Ascot on Affordable Housing
Hi, I'm Jim Ascot. During this campaign, I've been stressing some areas that need national attention: affordable housing, unemployment, investment in our community and the stimulus plan. Now, I'd like to explain how I see these things coming together, how we can approach our challenges intelligently by working with one another to revitalize the 7th District.
We are facing a housing crisis. Illinois has the fifth highest number of foreclosures in the country and 1 in every 135 households in Illinois has recently filed for foreclosure. This is not just an indication that we are approaching disaster. This is a disaster.
Alongside the housing issue, our unemployment problems continue. Unemployment in Chicago has reached 10% and many are worried that it will continue to get worse. We're never going to get out of this economic crisis if we don't address the subject at the most basic level, by making sure every one in the district has an opportunity to support his or her family.
Now is the time to invest our resources here at home. Chicago is a national asset, a hub of international business, and it is time that Congress treated it that way. We all know the areas of our communities that are falling apart. We've all seen the vacant lots and wondered why someone won't do anything about them. I have a plan.
With the stimulus package, President Obama and Congress have taken an important step towards fixing our country, but most of the money has yet to be spent: 6 billion dollars in Illinois alone. We need to fast track those stimulus funds to pay workers to build affordable housing on the vacant lots. People are running out of resources and we need jobs to move this economy forward.
So let's bring all these things together: the thousands of people in our district who need housing, the vacant lots, unemployed workers and unspent stimulus funds. We need to invest here in our community to get people working. We need to help people get affordable housing so let's start building new homes. And we need to prepare for the future so let's invest in every block and empower every person.
Thank you.
As always I'll be online for another hour to answer any questions you may have about the video or the campaign.
Jim
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