Housing & Development

WASHINGTON, DC - July 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today that HUD will provide $46.2 million to public housing agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to supply permanent housing and case management for 6,790 homeless veterans in America.

Washington D.C. - July 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The deadline for homeowners to qualify for the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) is rapidly approaching with all Pre-Applicant Screening Worksheets due by Friday, July 22, 2011.The EHLP, launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with NeighborWorks® America in June, is designed to help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure in 27 states across the country and Puerto Rico. The program assists homeowners who have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical condition.Under EHLP guidelines eligible homeowners can qualify for an interest free loan which pays a portion of their monthly mortgage for up to two years, or up to $50,000, whichever comes first.

Columbia, MO - July 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mitigation experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be in Florissant to offer free rebuilding information and answer questions about how to strengthen property against future storm and flood damage.

Washington, DC - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the House Financial Services Committee approved legislation introduced by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), the "Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act." Royce’s legislation eliminates the Affordable Housing Trust Fund established in 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act.

Boston, MA - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Funders Together to End Homelessness, the national affinity group of philanthropies engaged in solving homelessness, today announced personnel changes to its board of directors, including changes in leadership and the election of two new board members.

Washington, DC - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association applauds the announcement today by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan that Carol Galante has been designated by President Barack Obama as the Acting FHA Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of Housing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In a vote of 18-14, the Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises subcommittee of the House Finance Committee voted yesterday to eliminate the National Housing Trust Fund.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced an agreement with Prospect Mortgage, LLC (Prospect) to settle allegations the California-based mortgage lender created sham affiliated business arrangements for the purpose of paying improper kickbacks or referral fees in violation of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). Prospect agreed to dissolve these sham joint ventures and pay $3.1 million to resolve the complaint

MONROE, NJ - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Buyers at Lennar’s Greenbriar Stonebridge have something in common: once they tour the active adult community in Monroe Township, they can’t wait to start enjoying the resort-like lifestyle it offers.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded more than $1.9 billion to public housing authorities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funds will allow these agencies to make major large-scale improvements to their public housing units. View a full list of public housing authorities receiving funding.

Boston, MA - July 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced a $30 million improvement project for the Heritage Apartments in East Boston and Lower Mills in Dorchester, both serving the disabled and elderly communities. The funding will provide energy efficient capital improvements and increased supportive services at both developments.

BOISE, ID - July 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A statewide count of homeless persons in Idaho conducted by Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) and regional housing coalitions, indicates there are 2,199 homeless in the state, over a six percen...

BISMARCK, N.D. - July 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- North Dakota residents whose mobile homes have been flooded will need to provide proof that their mobile home insurance has no flood coverage before they can receive disaster housing assistance fr...

Washington, D.C. - July 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On the morning of July 11, the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and the GSEs of the House Financial Services Committee will vote on the latest series of bills to dismantle Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced an agreement with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) to settle allegations the title company paid real estate brokers and other settlement service providers improper kickbacks or referral fees in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). Read the full text of the agreement announced today.

Washington, D.C. - July 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced its support for the federal "Safe Building Code Incentive Act" (H.R.2069), introduced by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., which would make states with national model building codes in place eligible for an additional four percent in relief funding after natural disasters. If enacted, the bill would serve to encourage states to head off disaster damage before it happens by requiring that homes meet nationally recognized standards.

New York, NY - July 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) announced today the signing of agreements with SENA and CAMACOL Bogotá and Cundinamarca (CAMACOL B&C) that establish the first on-site job training and certification program for construction workers in Colombia. CGSGI will develop a portable, on-site training facility in the Ciudad Verde ("Green City") low-income housing development in Soacha, Cundinamarca, near Bogotá, the capital of Colombia to offer free training and certification for 5,000 construction workers. The on-site training program will utilize courses developed by SENA, the National Learning Service of Colombia, and trainees will be evaluated by CAMACOL B&C, the Colombian Chamber of Construction. Workers will receive certifications from SENA for the competencies in which they have been trained.

BOSTON , MA - July 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced today that it has closed a $1.759 million loan for the Homes at Easthampton Meadow, the third and final phase of a mixed-income, multi-generational housing community for seniors and families with foster or pre-adoptive children.

Boston, MA - July 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On June 20, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD) made funding available to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The funding program – the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) – will provide much-needed funds for homeowners who have lost their job or experienced an involuntary decline in income. Homeowners who have received a foreclosure notice may be eligible for a deferred payment loan that will allow them to pay loan arrearages, back taxes and up to 24 months of mortgage payments. The EHLP loans will be two-year, no interest, forgivable loans. Eligible families must make less than 120 percent of the median income.

LITTLE ROCK, AR - July 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have started visiting disaster-damaged homes in Franklin and Johnson counties as an early step in rushing assistance to elig...