National Homeownership Week arrives in Wichita with some of the highest home buying statistics in the nation’s history. According to Census figures, 68% of the nation own a home. Also, more homes were sold in 2003 than any other year before. Wichita is just slightly higher with 69% of the population owning their home because of the excellent cost of living and affordability of homes in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Some statistics from President George W. Bush’s agenda to expand homeownership opportunities include:

• U.S. homeownership rate was at a record high of 68.6% in the fourth quarter of 2003, the highest ever.

• Census estimates an increase of 1.53 million minority homeowners, which means for the first time a majority of the minority households own a home with 50.6%.

• Increased housing prices and new home construction have added nearly $4 trillion to homeowner wealth since the start of 2001.

Mayor Carlos Mayans marked the occasion with a special proclamation and recognition for top homeownership partners in the community. That list included: James Arbertha, Power CDC; Andy Bias, Mennonite Housing; June Bailey, Community Housing Services; Mohan Kambampati, Wichita Indochinese Center; Tony Zimbelman, Zimbelman Construction; Wess Galyon, Wichita Area Builders Association; Rob Snyder, Central Plains Development; Mary K. Vaughn, Director of Housing Services; and Mark Stanberry, Housing Services Department. For more information on Homeownership, go to www.wichita.gov.

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