And I believe that we have accomplished this is in the 46th Ward, and quite possibly to a greater extent than any where else in the City of Chicago, or any other major urban area for that matter. Together, we have created an environment where people from cultures from across the world live next to one another in peace. We have as dramatic a spread in income levels as exists anywhere in Chicago and the nation, and our diversity of housing stock offers opportunities for all. And every year the number of first time homeowners in the ward dramatically increases, a fact I am extremely proud of.

Indeed, through the Chicago Partnership for Affordable Housing program, CPAN, more than 50 working families and households have bought newly constructed or rehabbed condo units at an affordable price in the 46th Ward. Over the next year another 80 working families will purchase C-PAN units in our ward.

And, over the last several years more than 1,000 units of rental housing finally transformed into forms of cooperative housing, where every resident has a stake in the development of their property, as well as the commensurate responsibility that always accompanies forms of home ownership. And to think that as little as little as 12 years ago, some not only said this was impossible, but actually not even desirable. But what they did not understand is that everyone accomplishes more of what they desire in an atmosphere of cooperation than they do in one infused with antagonism.