News
| Housing & Development |
FHA HIRES COMPLIANCE MANAGER TO OVERSEE INVENTORY OF ‘HUD HOMES’
March 18, 2010 Posted by HUD
Contract designed to reduce risk and increasing return on resale of property. WASHINGTON, DC - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the agency is contracting with Michaelson, Connor & Boul, Inc. (MCB) of Huntington Beach, California to serve as a Mortgagee Compliance Manager. MCB will be responsible for ensuring that Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-approved lenders and loan servicers convey foreclosed properties to the FHA in acceptable condition
AIA to Congress: Bipartisan Support Needed to Revive Construction Industry
March 18, 2010 Posted by AIA
Washington, D.C. - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — “We commend the extension of the Build America Bonds program and surface transportation programs in the jobs bill just passed by Congress, and strongly urge Congress to show the same bipartisan support for jump starting the struggling design and construction industry,” said Christine McEntee, EVP / Chief Executive Officer of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). “The entire construction sector has such a far reaching impact on the overall economy and continues to suffer through layoffs and firm closings at epic rates. In order to truly stimulate the economy there needs to be a strong financial commitment to small business relief, broad tax incentives for energy-efficient buildings and retrofits, and passage of the HomeSTAR and BuildingSTAR programs for energy retrofits. We call on Congress to ensure that those areas are addressed in the next jobs packages.
Frank Introduces Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act
March 18, 2010 Posted by RealEstateRama
Washington, DC - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) yesterday introduced H.R. 4868, the Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act of 2010, to stem the loss of affordable rental housing units across the country. The measures will help curtail the further loss of housing and prevent the displacement of low-income tenants.
Consumers Can Now Call on More Than 5,000 Certified Green Professionals
March 18, 2010 Posted by NAHB
WASHINGTON D.C. - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — More than 5,000 home builders, remodelers, suppliers and product manufacturers have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) educational designation since it was introduced by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in 2008.
EPA Recognizes Leaders in Energy Efficiency: Winners save energy and money through Energy Star program
March 18, 2010 Posted by EPA
WASHINGTON, DC - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is honoring a select group of manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, home builders and other organizations as 2010 Energy Star award winners. These organizations are being recognized for their long-term commitment to fighting climate change through greater energy efficiency. Sears Holdings Corporation, PepsiCo, JC Penney, Food Lion, Whirlpool and Ford Motor Company are among the 110 award winners chosen from more than 17,000 partners in the Energy Star program.
Remodelers Struggle to Meet Lead Paint Rule Deadline Due to Lack of EPA Trainers
March 18, 2010 Posted by NAHB
WASHINGTON D.C. - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — A shortage of EPA-accredited trainers means that home owners planning a remodeling project this spring may not be able to find a qualified remodeler if a new regulation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goes into effect as scheduled, according to the National Association of Home Builders
Bachus Cautions HUD to Watch Spending, Calls for Top-Down Review of Agency
March 17, 2010 Posted by RealEstateRama
WASHINGTON, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Spencer Bachus made the following statement during a Full Committee hearing entitled “The Administration’s Proposal to Revitalize Severely Distressed Public and Assisted Housing: The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.”
USGBC and Sierra Club Volunteers Lead Green Building Tours Across the U.S.
March 17, 2010 Posted by USGBC
Washington, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Local volunteers of the Sierra Club and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will conduct public tours of green buildings across the country to highlight the local economic and environmental benefits of energy-efficient, high-performance green buildings. The tours are part of the national “Green Buildings for Cool Cities,” a partnership between the Sierra Club and USGBC. The project is aimed at helping cities nationwide make green buildings and communities a key component of their economic and environmental recovery efforts
NLIHC President Sheila Crowley Testifies on Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Proposal
March 17, 2010 Posted by NLIHC
Washington, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — National Low Income Housing Coalition President Sheila Crowley testified before the House Financial Services Committee today on the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI), which is the Obama Administration’s proposal for the next iteration of the controversial HOPE VI public housing program. As written, CNI is intended to transform neighborhoods with distressed housing, including federal public or assisted housing. However, it would ultimately provide little help to the millions of low and extremely low income people most in need across the country
IBHS Offers Guidance on Protecting Families and Homes from Flood Damage
March 17, 2010 Posted by RealEstateRama
Tampa, FL - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — National Flood Awareness Week is March 15-19, so the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) today is offering advice on many inexpensive ways to protect your family and home from flood damage.
