Yearly Archives: 2015

Wind power has grown exponentially in California over the last dozen years, and now supplies enough energy to power 1,188,483 homes, a new report from Environment California Research & Policy Center said today. Last year alone, wind turbines in California averted over 9 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution, the equivalent to removing more than 1.9 million cars from the road.

he planned renovation of Ocean View Senior Apartments in the coastal community of Pacifica is made possible in part through the extensive efforts of the California Housing Finance Agency, the State’s affordable housing bank. CalHFA’s involvement in the complex transaction included bond financing of over $18 million, a subordinate gap loan of nearly $2 million, as well as other financial considerations helping the buyers and sellers make the deal financially viable and working with federal regulators to secure necessary waivers for affordability

Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined the majority of his House colleagues in advancing H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act by a bipartisan 249-174 vote. The innovative legislation, sponsored by Upton, focuses on updating the United States’ energy policy to properly reflect the changing energy landscape.

As part of their ongoing work to increase affordable housing, address the needs of the homeless, create jobs and invest in the Los Angeles economy, Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and Karen Bass (D-Calif.) welcomed Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro this week to South Los Angeles.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) reaffirmed today her support for establishing a National Infrastructure Bank. DeLauro, who has been a longtime advocate for such a program, believes that a public bank that would leverage public and private dollars for meritorious infrastructure projects of national or regional significance.

After reversing proposed cuts to clean water infrastructure programs, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline announced $18.2 million in federal funding for water infrastructure projects in Rhode Island. Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the funding will go to two federal-state loan programs that supply local water systems with low-interest financing for projects that protect public health and environmental quality

Mortgage applications decreased 0.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 27, 2015. This week's results included an adjustment for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Next week a panel of nationally renowned land use and urban planning experts will begin a five-day study of southcentral St. Tammany Parish, providing strategic advice for resilient redevelopment that addresses the vulnerability of the region’s communities. The advisory services panel, convened by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), will provide recommendations that address the southcentral study area plan, watershed management study, and water quality improvement program

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is endorsing the formation of a Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GABC) to advance the real estate industry’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint on a worldwide scale. In pledging its support, ULI joins more than 20 other global organizations seeking to position real estate as contributing to solutions regarding climate change and protecting the environment

Scientists at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed a new probe that could lead to a better photoelectrochemical cell.

AARP and AARP Foundation today announced two award competitions during the Future of Housing Summit, a new initiative designed to bring awareness to and find innovative solutions for the housing challenges that people are experiencing across the United States. The competitions are focused on addressing America’s housing affordability and accessibility needs, particularly for people 50-plus, over the next few decades.

Monitoring and control systems are at the nexus of buildings and successful zero net energy (ZNE) performance, according to a new study released today from the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA)

The City of Midland has prepared its Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, or CAPER, for the year that ended Sept. 30, 2015. At the end of each fiscal year, the CAPER details Midland’s accomplishments toward addressing needs identified in Midland’s five-year Consolidated Plan for Community Development and Housing funds.

Six developers across the state were recently awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a key federal funding source for creating and preserving affordable housing. The tax credits will provide almost $31 million in upfront cash equity to be used for building 170 affordable apartments and preserving 100 more.

As part of Maui County's ongoing efforts to address issues and concerns related to the homeless community, Mayor Alan Arakawa transmitted five bills and a budget amendment to the Maui County Council last week.

Six developers across the state were recently awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a key federal funding source for creating and preserving affordable housing. The tax credits will provide almost $31 million in upfront cash equity to be used...

The First Lady Of New York City Chirlane McCray, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, New York State Assembly Member Michael A. Blake, and other officials joins Unique People Services, the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), and development partners to celebrate the start of construction on Lynn’s Place.

After Superstorm Sandy victims faced an extensive, burdensome and fraud-ridden flood insurance claims process, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Kathleen rice today announced their push for new bipartisan legislation to require more transparency and accountability from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) so that home and property owners who carry flood insurance policies are better protected in the event of another storm.

Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on today’s groundbreaking for the Centennial Village affordable housing project located in his district at 52nd and Columbia Avenue:

After unanimously passing the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Jon Tester's rural water bill is on its way to the President's desk and is set to become law.