Thursday, March 28, 2024

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PICK-UP PROJECTED IN HOME IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITY MOVING INTO 2016

The extended easing of gains in residential improvement spending is expected to change course by early next year, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. The LIRA projects annual spending growth for home improvements will accelerate to 4.0% by the first quarter of 2016.

West Suburban Real Estate Broker Sentenced to 16 Months in Federal Prison for Mortgage...

A west suburban real estate broker was sentenced today to 16 months in federal prison for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme involving a pair of Chicago apartment buildings. GEORGE DRAVILAS, 37, of Medinah, pleaded guilty in February to one count of bank fraud. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman ordered Dravilas to pay $463,110 in restitution.

CLPHA Statement on Obama Administration ConnectHome Initiative

The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) welcomes President Obama’s announcement today of the ConnectHome initiative whose goal is to help boost the educational achievement of children who live in federally subsidized housing by increasing their at-home access to high-speed Internet services

House Passes the Private Investment in Housing Act of 2015

July 14, the House of Representatives passed The Private Investment in Housing Act of 2015, H.R. 2997, by a vote of 395-28. The bill would authorize a pay-for-success demonstration program that leverages private funding to improve the water and energy efficiency of HUD multifamily developments

U.S. Department of Commerce, Aspen Institute Announce Seven Regional Site Teams Selected for ‘Communities...

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Workforce Strategies Initiative at the Aspen Institute today announced the selection of seven regional site teams, comprised of leaders in industry, government, education, and workforce and economic development, to participate in the Communities that Work Partnership

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND SECRETARY CASTRO ANNOUNCE INITIATIVE TO EXTEND HIGH SPEED BROADBAND ACCESS FOR...

Building on the Obama Administration’s goal to expand high speed broadband to all Americans, today, President Obama and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro announced, ConnectHome, an initiative to extend affordable broadband access to families living in HUD-assisted housing. Through ConnectHome, Internet Service Providers, non-profits and the private sector will offer broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and devices for residents in assisted housing units in 28 communities across the nation.

Statement from Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

"Today’s announcement between the P5+1 and Iran is a historic accomplishment. Building on the Lausanne framework, it will ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is – and will remain – a peaceful one, or that the international community will have more than enough time to respond if Iran’s program proves otherwise. This deal will extend the time it would take for Iran to produce enough fissile material for a first nuclear explosive device to a year for at least ten years, from the current breakout time of just two to three months

Institute, RICS Sign MOU Recognizing Shared Goals to Improve Building Performance

Neil Shah, Managing Director, Americas, for RICS (left) and National Institute of Building Sciences President Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA (right), shake hands in Washington, D.C., on July 14, upon signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations to advance and promote the building sciences.

Majestic Realty Co. Named NAIOP 2015 Developer of the Year

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, has selected Majestic Realty Co. as its prestigious 2015 Developer of the Year – the association’s highest honor. Headquartered in Southern California, and with regional offices throughout the United States, Majestic is the largest, privately-held industrial developer in the United States and is widely-recognized as a long-term powerhouse in the development community and beyond.

Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration and Homelessness Among Veterans

There is a high prevalence of criminal justice system-involvement among Veterans experiencing homelessness, with some estimates indicating that as many as one-half of all Veterans experiencing homelessness are involved in the justice system. Strategies to end Veteran homelessness must therefore also encompass efforts to address and reduce justice system involvement.

TD Ameritrade works with Habitat for Humanity for the eighth year

TD Ameritrade announced today that it is donating to Habitat for Humanity in 2015 to support its mission of creating safe, decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income families across the U.S. This is the company’s eighth consecutive year supporting Habitat for Humanity

ConnectHome: Coming Together to Ensure Digital Opportunity for All Americans

Today, the President will travel to Durant, Oklahoma, to announceConnectHome, a new initiative with communities, the private sector, and federal government to expand high speed broadband to more families across the country. The pilot program is launching in twenty-seven cities and one tribal nation and will initially reach over 275,000 low-income households – and nearly 200,000 children – with the support they need to access the Internet at home.

SEIA, CohnReznick Release Solar Project Valuation Guide

As a tool for investors, financiers, project developers and others, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and CohnReznick, a leading national accounting, tax and advisory firm, today released a guide to the valuation of solar projects for financial reporting purposes.

Refi Applications Up, Purchase Applications Down in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications decreased 1.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 10, 2015. The prior week's results included an adjustment for the July 4th holiday.

CONGRESSWOMAN LEE INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND SOLAR ACCESS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced the Low Income Solar Act (LISA), H.R. 3041, along with Congressmen Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN). The Senate companion bill, S. 1713, was introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

2015 HUD SECRETARY’S AWARD FOR HEALTHY HOMES WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Four model programs in Alaska, Maine, Missouri and Wisconsin are winners of the inaugural HUD Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes, each being recognized for excellence in promoting resident health through housing interventions. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) selected

USGBC and UVA School of Medicine Awarded ?$1.2 Million Grant from Robert Wood Johnson...

USGBC and the University of Virginia School of Medicine (UVA) announced today that they have been awarded a three year, $1.2 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to advance their Green Health Partnership. This research initiative, led by Chris Pyke, Ph.D., (USGBC) and Dr. Matthew Trowbridge (UVA) directly addresses longstanding gaps in the availability of practical tools to promote healthy places.

Jaime Herrera Beutler Secures Improvements to FEMA’s Oil Spill Response Grants in House Bill

Jaime Herrera Beutler secured a reform in a U.S. House spending bill that will make federal emergency response grants for crude oil and ethanol rail traffic a higher priority. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Firefighter Assistance Grants directly to local fire departments to pay for equipment that protects the health and safety of the public and firefighters, including volunteers and emergency medical service personnel.

Congressman Al Green’s Homes for Heroes Act of 2015 Overwhelmingly Passes the House of...

On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, by a vote of 412 to 1, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 251, the Homes for Heroes Act of 2015, which aims to prevent low-income veterans and their families from becoming homeless. This legislation specifically establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs and requires an annual report on veterans’ homelessness be submitted to Congress.

Cantwell: Affordable and Reliable Energy Is Key to Ensuring Viable Island Economies

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, highlighted the importance of federal agencies partnering with isolated communities to overcome the challenge of accessing affordable and reliable energy.

Business Real Estate Press Releases

Support Ukrainian Refugees

GFP Real Estate and Its Tenants Raise More Than $200,000 to...

GFP Real Estate is pleased to announce that its "Support Ukraine in Crisis" campaign raised more than $200,000 to support humanitarian relief efforts on the ground in Ukraine.

Recent Gov & Nonprofit Real Estate Press Releases

Support Ukrainian Refugees

GFP Real Estate and Its Tenants Raise More Than $200,000 to...

GFP Real Estate is pleased to announce that its "Support Ukraine in Crisis" campaign raised more than $200,000 to support humanitarian relief efforts on the ground in Ukraine.