Housing & Development

WASHINGTON, DC - May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to the State of Idaho and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following flooding, landslides, and mudslides storm during March and April.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing affordability during the first quarter of 2011 rose to its highest level in the more than 20 years it has been measured, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) data released today.The HOI indicated that 74.6 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2011 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400. This eclipsed the previous high of 73.9 percent set during the fourth quarter of 2010 and marked the ninth consecutive quarter that the index has been above 70 percent. Until 2009, the HOI rarely topped 65 percent and never reached 70 percent.

May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- WHATg>: Vermont will be recognized nationally for its outstanding work in producing affordable housing and creating sustainable living environments

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A second man who was employed as an inspector with the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety pleaded guilty this afternoon to federal bribery charges for taking thousands of dollars in bribes to approve work done at residential construction sites in South Los Angeles, even though the work had not been inspected.

May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On May 25, NLIHC President and CEO Sheila Crowley will testify in support of the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) at a hearing of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) titled, “Transparency, Transition and Taxpayer Protection: More Steps to End the GSE Bailout.” The hearing will be at 2 pm in room 2128 of the Rayburn House office building.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 7.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 323,000 units in April, their best pace since December of 2010, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. The report also showed that the nationwide inventory of new homes for sale continued to fall to just 175,000 units in April, which is a new record low."The fact that new-home sales have now risen for two consecutive months is certainly welcome news following an all-time low sales number in February," said Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "That said, builders are still contending with a great deal of competition from foreclosed properties for sale in certain markets, and in places where this is not an issue, it remains extremely difficult to obtain credit to build new homes."

WASHINGTON, DC - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a settlement with Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank, National Association, the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) 8th largest mortgage lender.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $152.7 million to help eight cities across the country transform severely distressed public housing developments into mixed-income communities. Housing authorities in the following cities developed highly successful revitalization plans to transform the physical condition of a public housing community and make a positive impact on the lives of their residents: Boston, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky; Patterson, New Jersey; St. Louis, Missouri; Taunton, Massachusetts; Phoenix, Arizona; and Portland, Oregon

May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Property owners consider home improvements for many more reasons in that one of the common reasons is to have the home wonderful look on the occasion for festive season. Another most important reason is improve the safety quotient of the home. A home improvement and Home Remodeling also can be done to increase the comfort level of your home. But, it is possible by hiring professional licensed home improvement contractor because of they had lot experience in their profession.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it is offering up to $9.1 million to address the critical housing needs of low-income persons and families living with HIV/AIDS including homeless individuals and families. HUD’s funding noticeis offered through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS(HOPWA) Program.

EDGEWATER, N.J. - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Peninsula at City Place’s newest model home was born out of a recently-established partnership between Savanna Partners, developer of the luxury condominium community located along the Hudson Riverfront in Bergen County’s Edgewater, and furniture designer and retailer, BoConcept.

Washington, D.C. - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Institute of Building Sciences (the Institute) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) showed their commitment to the importance of building enclosures May 18 when they signed a new Memorandum of Agreement to support existing Building Enclosure Councils (BECs) and develop new ones in cities across the United States.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Recognizing the growing demand for move-in-ready homes in active adult communities, the developers of The Pointe at Turnbury have outfitted one of their most popular models with $15,000 worth of free upgrades and are offering it as a quick-delivery home at no additional charge.

COLUMBUS, OH - May 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Board yesterday approved $2.6 million in funding through the Housing Development Assistance Program (HDAP) to provide flexible, low-interest financing for affordable housing developments. Funding for HDAP comes from the federal HOME program and the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF).

Washington, D.C. - May 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today welcomed an announcement that a conditional loan guarantee has been awarded to the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project in Nevada. The facility will create new clean energy jobs in the Silver State and boost the supply of renewable energy needed to power local homes and businesses."This is a smart investment that will create new Nevada jobs and increase our supply of clean renewable energy. That is why I fought Republican efforts to cut the loans for renewable energy projects like this new solar plant near Tonopah. Nevada's future is in clean energy and we can create jobs and strengthen our economy by investing in the development of more solar, wind, geothermal and other sources of renewable power found in abundance right here at home in the Silver State," said Berkley.

Washington, D.C. - May 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) announced Friday, May 20, 2011, that homeowners, renters and businesses in Hardin County who suffered damages in the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding on Apr...

GREENSBORO, NC - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Greensboro is hosting two housing seminars for residents who have inherited homes or property to help prevent home and property loss. The seminars are from 6-8 pm, Wednesday, June 1, and from 9 am to 2 pm, Saturday, June 4, at Central Library, 219 N. Church St. Both seminars are free, but do require pre-registration.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that several communities throughout the state will receive $138,735 in federal funding to help more Rhode Islanders develop job skills and achieve econ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) WHEN: Thursday, May 26, 2011 2:00 p.m. EDT WHO: David Crowe, Chief Economist, National Association of Home Builders Kermit Baker, Director of the Remodeling Futures Program, Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies

WASHINGTON, DC - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Six grants have been awarded in the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) semi-annual funding of its Community Action Grants program. Through the program, the ULI Foundation Fund raises money to be distributed as grants to district councils or ULI members on behalf of nonprofit organizations for entrepreneurial programs that aim to improve urban growth in their communities.