Obama praises homeowners, economy’s recovery in Phoenix speech

PHOENIX — President Barack Obama told an audience Thursday in Phoenix that Arizona’s recovering housing market was a sign the American economy was righting itself.

“Let there be no doubt, America is coming back,” he said.

Obama spoke at Central High School, touching on topics that included homeownership, health care and veterans homelessness, in a precursor to his State of the Union address in two weeks.

The president announced a cut in mortgage insurance premiums on Federal Housing Administration loans, a move aimed at attracting new homebuyers.

“Today, home sales are up nearly 50% from where they were in the worst of the crisis.” —President #ObamaInPhoenix pic.twitter.com/bmJTRzlCc9

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 8, 2015

“Buying a home has always been about more than owning a roof and four walls. It’s about investing savings and building a family,” he said.

“These rates are for responsible buyers … we’re really policing irresponsible lenders luring folks to buy houses they can’t afford.”

Before the speech, Obama paid a surprise visit to a housing development in south Phoenix.

“People are building beautiful homes through the FHA loans,” Obama said of the development, Nueva Villas at Beverly.

The president reminded the crowd of a previous visit to metro Phoenix, when the area’s housing market was struggling.

“We had to try … I came here to lay out plans to get responsible homeowners back on their feet,” he said.

Obama joked that he first lady Michelle Obama did not own their home, referring to the White House as “a rental. We’ve got two years remaining. I’m hoping to get my security deposit back.”

“Rising home prices have put hundreds of billions of dollars of wealth back in the pockets of middle-class families.” —#ObamaInPhoenix

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 8, 2015

The president opened his address thanking the school’s students and staff for their hospitality.

He also told Arizona Cardinals fans to “keep their chin up.” The Cardinals lost in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

Obama also acknowledged the date — the anniversary of the shooting in Tucson in 2011 that nearly killed former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

“She’s doing great,” he said, commending her strength and her continued fight for gun control legislation.

Giffords and husband Mark Kelly were among those packed into the gymnasium. They had met with Obama before the speech.

Four years ago today, @GabbyGiffords was shot. Here she is today in PHX with Pres Obama.

“She is a hero.” – POTUS pic.twitter.com/WjtjrdQt5f

— Valerie Jarrett (@vj44) January 8, 2015

Related

Why your back locks up, and how to get moving againValley-based sandwich shop Cheba Hut opening location in south ScottsdaleFlorida is set to carry out 18th execution this year and moving closer to tying recordGimmick or giveback? Even some Trump supporters don’t expect to get $5,000 checks after midtermsSanTan Spirit House in downtown Chandler debuts all-day coffee programJD Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu for reelection, says he’s focusing on midterms