WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — More than 2.5 million people have cashed or deposited nearly $2.3 billion in checks related to the Independent Foreclosure Review Payment Agreement through May 23, 2013. more »

OKLAHOMA CITY – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.

WASHINGTON, DC – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Representative Henry A. Waxman sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eric Shinseki urging him to create a pilot program at the Los Angeles VA Regional Office (VARO) to fast-track benefits claims for 50 chronically homeless and terminally ill veterans within a 30 to 45 day timeframe, instead of the 125 day timeframe proposed by the VA.

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — In support of Governor Christie’s commitment to help New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents, the Christie Administration today announced that more than 700 Section 8 Special Admissions Housing Choice Vouchers have been provided to date to low-income families displaced by Superstorm Sandy. The federally-funded housing vouchers average approximately $9,840 per year per household and are designed to help residents, who cannot return to their homes because of damage caused by Sandy, move into more permanent housing.

Trenton, NJ – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Marking a major step forward in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy, the Christie Administration today launched the reNew Jersey Stronger housing assistance initiative to assist homeowners impacted by the storm. Beginning today, eligible homeowners can apply for grant assistance

AUSTIN, TX – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — House Bill 3350, the Homestead Preservation District (HPD) legislation authored by Representative Eddie Rodriguez (Austin) and sponsored by Senator Kirk Watson (Austin), passed the Senate. This bill will help Austin preserve existing affordable housing opportunities for homeowners and enhance the viability of homeownership for low- and moderate-income residents in East Austin and neighborhoods experiencing economic pressures

Los Angeles, CA – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Industrial real estate is hot, and NAIOP is bringing the industry’s top leaders and decision-makers together to discuss trends, debate ideas and share knowledge at commercial real estate’s only national conference for industrial – I.con: The Industrial Conference. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is pleased to announce that more than 30 of the world’s most respected companies, ranging from banks and retail corporations to architecture firms and technology companies, are showing their strong commitment to green building and have joined USGBC as platinum level members. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) – Hanley Wood LLC, the premier media, event, information and strategic marketing services company serving the construction industry and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today a strategic partnership whereby Hanley Wood has acquired the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. more »

Washington, DC – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, in conjunction with the National Center on Family Homelessness, hosted a congressional briefing entitled “Homelessness in America: Experiences & Solutions in the 113th Congress.” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson serves as co-chair and co-founder of the Caucus.

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — As veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice are remembered this Memorial Day weekend, help is on the way for homeless veterans in the City of San Diego thanks to 185 federal housing vouchers awarded to the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Through the voluntary efforts of a Cleveland property owner and developer, a brownfield in the Midtown District has been investigated and remediated under Ohio EPA’s Voluntary Action Program(VAP), and is attracting new business.

Washington, DC – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Building on their continued efforts to support American veterans, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) today introduced legislation to increase cooperation between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and veterans legal clinics. The legislation, the Veterans Legal Support Act of 2013, will maximize the effectiveness of these law school programs and encourage their continued development.

Boston, MA – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Nixon Peabody LLP is honored to announce that two firm clients, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and Hostelling International, were among the commercial real estate industry projects recognized by the Boston Business Journal in its inaugural Best In Boston Real Estate Awards. Both projects were named award finalists along with other movers and shakers in the Greater Boston’s real estate industry from major developers and brokers to dealmakers and builders recognized by the BBJ. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — On May 22nd, City Clerk Maureen Feeney swore in Mayor Menino’s two new appointees to the Boston Fair Housing Commission’s five-member board. In the photo below, Fair Housing Commissioners Mary White and Marlena Richardson (hands raised) are officially sworn in, while accompanied by existing Fair Housing Commissioners, Fair Housing Commission staff, and Dion Irish, the Executive Director of the Office of Civil Rights.

BATON ROUGE – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Governor Bobby Jindal signed legislation that will assist and encourage Louisiana veterans, service members and their families to return to the Pelican State. This bill is part of the Governor’s 2013 Legislative Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The prices of existing single-family homes in Idaho rose 15 percent in the past year, according to data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released Thursday. Idaho had the fourth-highest rate of appreciation from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013, according to the FHFA’s House Price Index. Only Nevada, Arizona and California had higher rates. Nationally, home prices jumped 6.7 percent over the same time period.

WASHINGTON, DC – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Joe Courtney and New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio today announced more than $2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to combat lead paint and other home health hazards in New London. In all, the City of Norwich was awarded $1,829,956 in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grant program funding and $191,000 in healthy homes supplemental funding. With the funding, the city will address lead hazards in 85 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The city will also perform healthy homes assessments in 60 units.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) announced today two grants totaling $2,499,960 to the City of Bridgeport to remove lead-based paint and other hazards from 110 housing units. The funding, which includes $2,299,960 from the Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant program and $200,000 from the Healthy Homes Initiative, will be used to provide safer and healthier living environments for low- and very low-income families with children

EUGENE, OR – May 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Solana Beach, California area properties are now conveniently displayed on one easy-to-use website, thanks to the partnership between IDX, Inc. and Richardson Griswold of Red House Property. San Diego Regional MLS (Sandicor) listings are synced seamlessly to the search page enabled by IDX, creating a comprehensive online database of properties for Griswold‘s clients to search. The IDX solution customized to fit the functionality his website has allowed Griswold to provide his clients and other potential California buyers with unprecedented access to Sandicor listings, search tools and other IDX-hosted features