| Six U.S. cities have been recognized as the | | | | |
| best places for increasing affordable housing | | | | 3. Boulder, Colorado and the Boulder Area |
| by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) | | | | Realtor Association |
| and the United States Conference of Mayors. | | | | |
| The selected cities receive recognition for | | | | The Southern Lights program involves building |
| the innovations made in housing, improvements | | | | two duplexes that will house two families |
| in housing opportunities and increased | | | | each. This realtor association provides funds |
| affordability. | | | | and a minimum of 800 volunteer hours toward |
| | | | the construction of the homes. |
| Launched in 2004, the 'Ambassadors for | | | | |
| Cities' program envisages the development of | | | | 4. Jacksonville, Florida and the Northeast |
| housing opportunities and homeownership in | | | | Florida Association of Realtors |
| communities every year, through improved | | | | |
| collaborations between local city governments | | | | This association endeavors to enhance housing |
| and realtor associations. The program has so | | | | for employees of local businesses through |
| far honored 19 cities in the U.S. and has | | | | their employer assisted housing (EAH) |
| granted up to $95,000 towards affordable | | | | programs. Besides this, the realtors will |
| housing initiatives. | | | | also receive training to use this "Home from |
| | | | Work" program so as to assist local |
| For this current year, six cities have been | | | | businesses set up their own EAH programs. |
| selected as the 2007 Ambassador Cities. They | | | | |
| are: | | | | 5. Miami, Florida and the Realtor Association |
| | | | of Greater Miami and the Beaches |
| 1. Fort Smith, Arkansas and the Fort Smith | | | | |
| Board of Realtors | | | | This city envisages building a virtual |
| | | | housing center to connect renters with |
| The City of Forth Smith Homebuyers Assistance | | | | affordable rental units and home buyers with |
| Program offers participants a well-defined | | | | home sellers. The association's |
| education in credit counseling and mortgage | | | | multi-language website and home listings will |
| readiness and also a five-week financial | | | | be linked to the Housing Central website. An |
| fitness course on budgeting, money | | | | educational program for realtors on various |
| management, credit and avoiding predatory | | | | funding incentives for buyers and renters is |
| lending. Over 200 families have purchased a | | | | also on the anvil. |
| home since 1997, as a result of the program. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Durham, North Carolina and the Durham |
| 2. San Diego, California and the San Diego | | | | Regional Association of Realtors |
| Association of Realtors | | | | |
| | | | An annual training on the Durham's |
| The 'Back the Blue' Program specially | | | | homeownership programs is being held every |
| designed for police officers provides them an | | | | year since 1997 for realtors. Those who |
| interest rate "buy down". The program aims to | | | | complete the training program are placed on |
| bring down the monthly mortgage payments of | | | | Durham's realtor referral list. Potential |
| the officers thereby helping them to purchase | | | | home buyers are highly benefited by this |
| homes in the communities they serve. | | | | homeownership program. |