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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 61 "e shadow of crisis has passed…" at was the declaration from President Barack Obama early on as he delivered the sixth State of the Union address of his presidency on January 20. e President touted 2014 as "a breakthrough year for America" as job growth outpaced any year since 1999 and unemployment fell below pre-downturn levels. Both implicit and explicit throughout the speech were calls back to the condition of the United States economy when he took office and the measures that his administration took to ensure that the American people had a brighter future ahead. To be sure, American politicians extolling the virtues of their policies, taking credit for turns of good fortune and explaining away tough breaks, is nothing new on either side of the aisle. But when this administration in particular decides that it wants to take a victory lap, it is perhaps the most effective in modern political history. ey are exceptional storytellers. Early in 2015, the Obama Administration wants you to know that they are the ones who fixed the economy, including the housing market. A PAT ON THE BACK In January, the administration began to highlight a renewed focus on strengthening the housing economy. "President Obama has guided our nation out of a historic crisis and into an economy that's picking up momentum," Julián Castro, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), wrote. "In just six years—thanks in large part to his actions—millions of Americans have been able to stay in their homes, and home sales are up by nearly 50 percent." In an address given in January at Central High School in Phoenix, Arizona, President Obama spoke of the progress the housing market has made since 2009 and measures his administration is taking to help everyone achieve homeownership. e overall progress of the housing market in the last five to six years is not an accident, the president said, but rather it Heading Into Its Final Two Years, the Obama Administration is Taking Credit for Housing and Economic Recovery A PRESIDENTIAL VICTORY LAP WHAT THEY'RE SAYING HERE'S HOW PRESIDENT OBAMA'S POLICIES ARE HELPING THE HOUSING MARKET RECOVER: 2008: • Homes sales falling • Skyrocketing foreclosure rate • 10 million borrowers underwater 2014: • Home sales up nearly 50% from their crisis low • New foreclosures at the lowest level since 2006 • Homeowner equity up nearly $5 trillion Source: The White House COVER STORY INDUSTRY INSIGHT REGUL ARTORY INSIGHT SUCCESS FORMUL AS

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