GAO presented its Housing and Community Development issue area plan for fiscal years 1996 through 1998.

GAO plans to assess the: (1) restructuring of federal oversight of housing and community development agencies to improve service delivery, eliminate duplication, and produce long-term cost savings; (2) reduction of the federal government's financial risk in its programs to provide mortgage assistance; (3) fostering of self-sufficiency among low-income people while meeting budgetary constraints; (4) promotion of the economic and social development of communities; and (5) improvement of the cost-effectiveness of programs that promote small and minority-owned business development.