AGENCY-SPECIFIC GOALS

United States Secret Service

The United States Secret Service is organized into two major components, one focused on protection and the other focused on investigation. PART assessments of two protective programs found that both are highly effective, receiving some of the highest evaluations across Government. The Protective Intelligence program provides Secret Service law enforcement personnel with the information needed to carry out their protective operations. The Foreign Protectees and Foreign Missions program exercises the Service's unique authority and capability to coordinate logistics, advanced security surveys, intelligence analysis and dissemination, and other planning activities preceding visits from foreign heads of state and other dignitaries. The Budget includes $1.2 billion for the Secret Service to provide continued support for its protection and investigation programs, $28 million higher than the 2005 enacted level.

The Coast Guard is responsible for minimizing the loss of life and property on the seas, and its Search and Rescue (SAR) program is one of its oldest missions. Coast Guard employees spend hundreds of hours annually training for and executing SAR missions, and Coast Guard rescue swimmers are recognized as some of the best in the world. To help improve the Coast Guard's SAR program, the Budget continues implementation of the Rescue 21 system (a state-of-the-art maritime distress and response communications system) and includes funds to start recapitalization of the Coast Guard's High-Frequency distress-call monitoring system.

Supporting the President's ambitious agenda for expanded homeownership by assisting approximately 40,000 low-income families with the downpayment on their first home.

Preparing families for homeownership, identifying predatory lending practices, and helping current homeowners avoid default.

Proposing two new mortgage programs that would help more than 250,000 families achieve homeownership.

• Supplying tax credits to increase the supply of single family affordable homes.

Supporting a Compassionate Society

• Working to end chronic homelessness through innovative local strategies to move chronically homeless individuals from the street to permanent supportive housing.

• Helping ex-offenders get a second chance at employment.

Making Government More Effective

• Reforming Housing Vouchers to improve results and better serve two million low-income households.

MEETING PRESIDENTIAL GOALS-Continued

Expanding outreach to faith-based and community organizations to level the playing field for

the Department of Housing and Urban Development's formula and competitive grants.

Reducing improper payments in rental assistance programs.

PROMOTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND OWNERSHIP

More Americans have achieved the dream of homeownership than at any time in our Nation's history: Sixty-nine percent of households own their homes. For the first time ever in 2004, a majority of minority households own their own homes. The 2006 Budget supports ambitious goals to:

• Add 5.5 million new minority homeowners by 2010 (goal set in 2002)-1.9 million new minority homeowners were added by 2004; and

• Increase the supply of affordable homeownership units by seven million over the next 10 years (goal set in 2004).

American Dream Downpayment Initiative

Saving enough cash for the downpayment and closing costs is the greatest obstacle to homeownership for many. To help overcome this obstacle, the President proposed new Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding to help low-income families purchase their first homes. On December 16, 2003, President Bush signed the American Dream Downpayment Act. Six months later, HUD distributed $161.5 million in downpayment funds to over 400 State and local Governments. These funds have already helped over 4,000 families purchase their first homes; 50 percent of those families are minorities. The 2006 Budget provides $200 million to continue this initiative.

On December 16, 2003, President Bush signed the American Dream Downpayment Act. As a result of this initiative, on October 29, 2004, Taryn Ramos was able to purchase her first home with the downpayment assistance grants administered by Fresno, California.

Housing Counseling

The Budget proposes $40 million for Housing Counseling to prepare families for homeownership, identify predatory lending practices, and help current homeowners avoid default. In 2006, HUD will assist approximately 800,000 families to become homeowners or avoid foreclosure, using faith-based and community organizations in this effort.