MANCHESTER, N.H.-NCUA leadership encouraged credit unions last week to consider programs similar to the $35 million pledge by New Hampshire credit unions to fund special affordable housing programs. During a press conference at America's Credit Union Museum, NCUA Board Member Deborah Matz said that the New Hampshire initiative should serve as a model everywhere. “What's good for this state would be good for the nation,” Matz said. “If 32 credit unions in New Hampshire can pledge $35 million to affordable housing, imagine what 10,000 credit unions can do across America.” The pledge grew out of a workshop held Nov. 14 of last year. The workshop, which spawned Matz' Partnering and Leadership Successes initiative, was aimed at providing networking opportunities for credit unions and the local NeighborWorks organizations. NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar added in a statement, “The commitment demonstrated by the New Hampshire credit unions is a solid example of a partnership that helps folks help themselves in attaining the American Dream of homeownership.The access to affordable financial services through this New Hampshire partnership can create a financial self-sufficiency opportunity for many families in that region and further strengthen the financial position of credit unions that choose to participate in such initiatives.” PALS is an outgrowth of Dollar's Access Across America initiative. Other speakers at the press conference included New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson (R), Congressman Jeb Bradley (R-N.H.), the mayors of Manchester, Concord and Nashua, N.H., New Hampshire Credit Union League President Dan Egan, community activists and new homeowners who have benefited from the programs.