May 15, 2009 1:38 pm US/Pacific
Biden Tours Charitable Housing Group In L.A.
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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Vice President Joe Biden toured Esperanza Community Housing Corp. Friday. (file)
CBS
Vice President Joe Biden Friday toured a charitable housing organization in South Los Angeles, and praised it as a model that should be replicated across the country.
He also announced that millions of dollars in federal funds will be made available to abate lead paint in older, lower-income homes.
Biden -- joined by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Simms -- toured the Esperanza Community Housing Corp., which provides low-income residents in the Figueroa Corridor with affordable housing and health services.
"I've been involved in community organizations my entire life," Biden said. "And I am not new to this. You're among the best organizations I have seen in the entire country. What you're doing here in this community ... is a model for other groups all across the country."
Biden told the crowd that he and President Barack Obama had a tough sell getting Congress to back a $787 billion economic stimulus package, but said it was essential to combat a budget deficit that was already topping $1.2 trillion.
He said that of the $99 million available for lead-paint abatement, $17 million will go to California and will help improve 1,800 homes. He noted that $875,000 would go to Esperanza.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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