WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President George W. Bush's call for action to address the nation's housing finance crisis and for resolution to illegal immigration drew support today from representatives of the nation's cities and towns. At the same time, officials from the National League of Cities (NLC) raised concerns about the lack of attention to many of the growing problems facing America's hometowns.

"The President focused some of his remarks on programs that may help our communities, particularly his proposals to reform the housing finance system and to modernize the Federal Housing Administration," said Cynthia McCollum, president of the National League of Cities and council member from Madison, Ala. "But we see serious problems ahead as the local leaders of America's hometowns struggle to meet the repercussions of the looming recession."

"City budgets across the country are beginning to feel the serious economic impacts from the fallout in the housing crisis," McCollum said. "Although the stimulus package proposed by the President and the House is a start, real, long-term economic gains can only be achieved through a sustained effort to support America's hometowns. Job creation is key and can be achieved by fully funding the transportation bill, the energy and environmental block grant program, CDBG and other efforts to build more affordable housing. These would put people back to work in our communities and at the same time address many of our problems with congestion, lack of affordable housing and increased need for energy efficiency."

"In his remarks last night, President Bush said that protecting our nation from the dangers of a new century required changing the conditions that breed resentment; to fight against global poverty with strong education incentives and humanitarian assistance; and to fight global hunger and disease. He was referencing international efforts he supports, but I strongly suggest he begin these battles in America's hometowns -- where we are seeing empty food banks, where more than half of Medicaid enrollees are children, and during the first half of 2007, one out of 134 households was involved in a foreclosure," McCollum said.

Earlier this month, NLC leaders set out an aggressive agenda to take to Congress that includes efforts to secure continued federal funding to support local initiatives that address aging and crumbling infrastructure, meet crime head-on, and develop innovative energy and the environmental programs, as well as efforts to find solutions to the crisis in the housing market. As the nation's cities and towns struggle to address the influx of immigrants in their communities, NLC also wants refocused federal attention on the need for immigration reform.

"President Bush mentioned he will be releasing a budget next week that would terminate or substantially reduce 151 programs totaling more than $18 billion. In the past, he has tried to end the Community Development Block Grant program, the Community Oriented Policing Services program, and many other programs that help cities grow and thrive. So we will review his proposals carefully."

McCollum acknowledged the difficulties in addressing many of these problems in an election year. As a result, she is leading an effort to generate more discussion in the presidential campaigns about the problems facing cities.

"Time and time again, city leaders have risen to the challenge of keeping needed city services operating during difficult financial times. But we can't do it alone and we need a partnership with the federal government to ensure the future success of our communities. Our presidential candidates need to speak out and tell us how they will build that partnership to our future."

For more information, contact Sherry Conway Appel, 202-626-3003 or go to www.nlc.org.

Source: National League of Cities