>> i think both mark johnston and deputy secretary gould make an important point to be mindful of. we should assume strength in the individuals as they return from service. just remarkable discipline and courage our rush to pa thol jazz is something we should question. certainly so many men and women are coming back with physical and psychological injuries that need to be addressed. but not all of the veterans more than good information and good access to stable housing. and so the mainstream housing industry and the mainstream affordable housing industry can really handle most of this. . i thought it was wonderful framing that deputy gould made around rescue servicefuls. let's avoid meating those and doing more on the affordable rental front. maybe the call to arms is really more about how to make good access to mainstream housing by making the process of accessing it the best customer service experience anybody has had. right now it's the information gap. where do you go for help if you need it? that leads people down a slippery slope, where they need more services. for the most

it is my pleasure to introduce mark johnston.hey secretary of planning and development in the department of housing and urban development. his most recent position, he has a long history of government serve a strengthening communities particularly as assistant secretary of special needs. he knows this area very well. i would like to welcome him up here to address us. [applause] >> good morning. great to be here. i was very impressed with the remarks i have heard. i had a chance to work with scott gould, real partners in a lot of ways on trying to end homelessness by 2015. as you can tell a very hands-on guy who has set a goal and is trying to get there every way possible. is inspiring to work with him and others at the va. also quite impressed with the knowledge of our senator in terms of his acknowledge on housing. you want to thank the national housing conference for holding the symposium especially the sessions that would follow. one that is near and dear to my heart is homelessness. i want to talk about two topics that hud is

mark johnston, my colleague in the front row, it's good to see you again. let me take a moment to greet members of the veterans rental housing panel. we have president of the national alliance to end homelessness. john driscoll, president of the national coalition for homeless veterans. patrick sheridan, senior vp of real estate development, volunteers of america, and of course, rosanne haggerty, president of the community solutions. i want to thank the housing conference for inviting me to the discussion today about quality of portal housing for america's veterans. the efforts being taken to address a related challenge, which is homelessness itself. for again on behalf of secretary -- secretary shinseki you, i want to congratulate the nominees for two minutes achieving milestones. they are the home depot foundation, operation homefront, volunteers of america, corporate development, and u.s. vets. kelly are eager? great. terrific. jim knotts, where are you? michael king. this is wonderful. they boil down to people with an insight and passion to doing this w

mark johnston my colleague, good to see you again. let he take a moment to greet members of the veterans home less and rental housing panel. we have nan president of the national alliance and homelessness, john president and national coalition for homeless veterans. patrick shareton, senior vp volunteers of america and are san hagty president of community solutions. i want to thank the housing conference for inviting me to the discussion today about quality, affordable housing for america's veterans and the efforts being taken to address a related challenge had which is homelessness itself. before i begin on behalf of secretary and the department of veterans affair. i want to congratulate this year's honorees for the tremendous achievements and ensuring safe housing for our nation's warriors. affordable homes with access to health care and other va services. they are the hope depot foundation, operation home front, involve fears of america -- volunteers of america, cloud break development and u.s. vets. kelly, are you here? kelly is h