Prepared Remarks for Alphonso Jackson Secretary of Housing and Urban Development at the Greenleaf Village Five Year Anniversary

Dallas, Texas
Thursday, October 4, 2007

Thank you, Crayton (Webb). Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to join all of you on this five year anniversary.

I want to congratulate the Greenleaf Village homeowners, the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, the Dallas Housing Authority, all the sponsors, and everyone involved.

These five years have gone by quickly. I was here at the groundbreaking. So were many of you. We have watched this residence grow from the blueprint to mailbox, from an architect's dream to dream homes. I remember the old barracks-style public housing, the open-air drug markets, and the lead smelting plant.

The transformation of these 68 acres began when the construction crews came and went. New homes rose from the rubble, paint still fresh, the smell of wood and varnish, the quiet when the builder's left for the day. And then there was warmth and joy when homeowners moved in, living, laughing, raising families, growing up and growing old together. Greenleaf Village became a community for teachers, lawyers, doctors, artists, service providers, transportation workers - people from all backgrounds and income brackets. We remember.

This is more than a community...it is a showcase, an undeniable success story. Greenleaf Village is an impressive accomplishment, a model of partnership. And I am pleased that HUD was a part of this success, for we have contributed more than $2 million to Greenleaf Village.

If Americans want to see a powerful, positive vision of the future, they should come to Greenleaf Village. For here they can see what is possible.

For those who were here at the beginning, and for newer residents and friends, this is a good day, a landmark moment. Congratulations on this anniversary. I wish you all the best in the days and years to come.

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