For Downpayment Assistance Supporters, There Is Still Time to Make a Difference

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ann Ashburn, President
of AmeriDream, Inc., today issued the following statement about congressional
negotiations over the future of downpayment assistance funded in part by
sellers. Congress will decide this week whether to preserve or eliminate the
program, which operates under HUD guidelines and has helped one million
families and individuals become homeowners.

"The choice before Congress this week is clear: preserve a known, successful,
and popular charitable program, or devastate the housing industry by slamming
the door on 100,000 aspiring homeowners every year by eliminating a program
that works.

"Supporters of downpayment assistance also have a choice this week: demand
that Congress do right by our families, neighbors, and economy by protecting
and reforming downpayment assistance, or let Congress pass a flawed housing
stimulus plan that will do more harm than good to the entire housing industry
and the next generation of homeowners.

"Families, individuals, mayors, county leaders, homebuilders, banks, lenders,
real estate agents, and members of Congress still have time to make a
difference. Get the facts at www.supporthomeownership.com and send it to a
friend. Most importantly, tell your senators and representatives today that
the housing stimulus package should protect and reform downpayment assistance
and those who depend on it. Do not let this legislation makes the housing
crisis worse."

BACKGROUND: Charitable downpayment assistance funded in part with seller
participation has allowed homeownership to grow without using taxpayer
dollars. To date, more than one million families and individuals have utilized
this downpayment assistance, generating nearly $10 billion in home equity for
those families between 2000 and 2005. AmeriDream has provided more than
200,000 gifts to aspiring homeowners, approximately 80% of whom were
first-time homebuyers. AmeriDream also has helped educate 60,000 homebuyers
through homebuyer education courses, helped 1,200 homeowners retain their
homes when confronted with mortgage difficulties, and committed over $30
million to affordable housing development in local communities.

SOURCE AmeriDream, Inc.

Henry Fawell, +1-410-545-5830, for AmeriDream, Inc.