VANCEBURG — U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis, like most high-level politicians, has received several awards in his tenure serving Kentucky's 20th District.

However, Monday's presentation of the Housing Assistance Council's Henry B. Gonzalez Award for Distinguished Service in Housing was particularly meaningful to Davis, who knows from experience how much a helping-hand can mean to a family hoping to buy a home.

Davis was still a child in the late 1960s when he and his mother were facing serious challenges with their living situation, and the congressman serving his district at the time "cut through a bunch of bureaucratic red tape to help us get into our first house," he said. Although Davis said his mother never liked to talk about the assistance, he soon realized that two important things had come of it: his family was able to experience the stability and sense of pride that comes with home ownership, and he realized that someone with a genuine desire to help others can truly make a difference.

The experience stuck with Davis throughout his life and service in the House of Representatives and, although he continually works with a wide-range of issues facing Kentuckians and the United Sates as a whole, housing will always remain close to the congressman's heart.

The Gonzalez Award is intended to recognize outstanding contributions through an elected office to the improvement of housing conditions for low-income rural citizens, according to Moises Loza, executive director of the HAC, a nonprofit corporation that helps local organizations promote and implement affordable housing across the country. A representative of Texas's 20th House District from 1961 until 1998, Henry B. Gonzalez was "America's champion for rural housing," Loza said.

Loza said Davis has been a leader in the area of rural hosing advocacy and noted the congressman's important committee work on housing issues.

"You have worked with housing, particularly as a leading advocate for rural housing on the Financial Services Committee and its Housing Sub-committee," Loza told Davis. "We appreciate your dedication and leadership."

Davis is now on the Ways and Means Committee, but still plans to continue fighting for better housing conditions.

"I looked at the committee change not as an end, but as another chapter" in the effort to provide affordable housing, he said.

The award was presented in one of several homes intended for low- and moderate-income families recently built by People's Self Help Housing in the Fuller Subdivision, about 5 miles outside of Vanceburg. In addition to PSSH and HAC, other housing advocacy and assistance agencies represented at Monday's award presentation commended Davis for his work.

Kentucky Housing Corporation Chief Officer Brenda Weaver said her agency, its clients, partners and loan recipients are "grateful" for Davis' efforts.

"Representative Davis was key last year in helping to get the Housing and Economic Recovery Act passed, which brought a lot of additional resources to Kentucky," she said.

Weaver also noted Davis' leadership on the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act, which addresses a wide range of housing and homelessness issues and will be reintroduced in the 111th Congress.

Davis introduced the HEARTH Act in 2007 and although the legislation has faced significant challenges, Davis said working on the bill "was one of the more remarkable legislative experiences for me."

Weaver also the reported on several programs and funding opportunities in Davis' district that have helped homeowners, home seekers and renters since 2004, including almost $17 million in home ownership and rental programs, almost $4 million in tax credits for the development of low-income rental properties, almost $5 million in contributions to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to make homes and rental properties easier to obtain, and $246 million in single family assistance that has helped turn more than 2,500 families and borrowers into homeowners.

Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises Executive Director Jim King said he believes Davis understands that housing is "not just as a human right, but as a basic human need" to be successful in life.

"We recognize the effort that you have put into creating funding and opportunity, not just for your district, but nationally, for rural people," King said.

Linda Chadwell, Single Family Program director for the state USDA Rural Development office, said Davis' accomplishments are "just tremendous" and said the agency was proud to participate in the presentation.

"We appreciate all the support you have provided for housing in Kentucky," she said.

With the nation in economic crisis, PSHH Executive Director Dave Kreher also commended Davis and said housing issues are more important than ever.

"We are at a point right now where people will be losing their homes," said Kreher. "We need to find ways to make housing as affordable as possible."

Davis repeatedly noted that successful housing programs are the not the result of just one person, but rather the successful collaboration of many people working together for a common good. He said receiving the Gonzalez award was both surprising and touching.

"This is a very humbling award in many ways for me, and wholly unexpected," said Davis, thinking back to the time when he and his mother moved into their home. "I would have never thought in my wildest expectations that I would be a member of Congress, let alone standing here today having a chance to be part of that solution."

Contact Michael Arthur at michael.arthur@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 271.