Housing

Has Led To Indictment Of 8 Individuals And The Opening Of More Than 80 Cases - Unit Cracking Down On Flood Of Mortgage Fraud Cases Infecting Brooklyn

June 22, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced that the Kings County Mortgage Fraud and Real Estate Crimes Unit has led to the indictment of eight individuals and the opening of more than 80 cases. One such case involves Thomas Prusik-Parkin, the man accused of impersonating his deceased mother to collect Social Security benefits and rent subsidies.    » read more »

Recovery funds will create jobs, help Hoosier families weather economic downturn

June 22, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Indiana will receive $164 million in economic recovery funds for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing for moderate- and lower-income Hoosier families.

Housing starts, the number of new residential construction projects initiated each month, have fallen 80 percent since their 2006 peak. Current home construction is at a 13-year low, down more than 60 percent from the peak in early 2006.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After extensive flooding in southern West Virginia in 2001, 2002 and 2004 left many West Virginians without safe and adequate housing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) brought in temporary housing units until homes could be repaired or rebuilt.

Each time the portable housing units were brought in, FEMA also had to find suitable locations on which to place them. Finding or building a temporary housing location that is out of harm’s way and that has public utilities and access can take two to three months. That can seem like a long wait for a family that is without their home, said Larry Puccio, chief of staff for Gov. Joe Manchin and the governor’s designee on the West Virginia Housing Development Fund’s board of directors.    » read more »

Combined with federal tax credits, total incentives for first time buyers can be as high as $15,000

June 18, 2009 -- PORTLAND – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci announced today some good news for first-time homebuyers – and for Maine’s housing market. MaineHousing is starting a new “Gift of Green” homeownership initiative that provides eligible First Home program borrowers with up to $5,500 in financial incentives to purchase a home.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman reported today that two New Mexico Pueblos will share over $2 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise will receive $1.5 million and Isleta Pueblo Housing Authority will receive $939,337 to help provide affordable housing in their communities.

“Quality, affordable housing is out of reach for many people in our state and the problem is especially prevalent on tribal lands. I am pleased that the federal government is making an investment in Laguna and Isleta Pueblo,” Bingaman said.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON— AARP Executive Vice President for Social Impact Nancy LeaMond commended the partnership announced today by HUD, DOT and EPA to apply a series of “livability principles” to federal transportation, environmental protection and housing spending.

AARP has long advocated for livable communities that have affordable and appropriate housing options, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options which together facilitate personal health independence and engagement in community life.

LeaMond said:    » read more »

RALEIGH (June 16, 2009) -- Progress Energy has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a recipient of the 2009 Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award. The award recognizes the utility for its efforts to promote energy-efficient construction and environmental protection in the Carolinas.

The company's Home Advantage program provides incentives to residential builders to construct new homes that meet or exceed EPA Energy Star standards for efficiency. Energy Star-certified homes provide customers with at least 15 percent greater efficiency than standard homes. Homeowners also receive a 5 percent Progress Energy discount on their monthly bill for the life of the home.    » read more »

Iowa Governor Culver Announces More Than $10 Million In Disaster Housing Tax Credits; Housing tax credits aid counties impacted by natural disasters of 2008

June 10, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced that the state is awarding $10,615,880 million in federal Housing Tax Credits to projects in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Des Moines. The Housing Tax Credits will provide financing for the creation and rehabilitation of 142 units of affordable housing in areas impacted by the natural disasters of 2008. The awards were made with a special allocation of Housing Tax Credits that Iowa received in response to the natural disasters of 2008.    » read more »

More than 10,000 complaints filed last year, most alleging disability discrimination

June 9, 2009 --
WASHINGTON - A record 10,552 fair housing discrimination complaints were filed in fiscal year 2008, according to a report just released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The report, which is produced for Congress each year, shows that a large portion of the complaints, 44 percent, were filed by persons with disabilities. Thirty-five percent, or 3,699, of the complaints alleged discrimination based on race.

To read the annual State of Fair Housing report, visit HUD’s website.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2009 - Today, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) rolled out their national media campaign to fight foreclosures and discrimination.

NFHA and HUD have partnered to create a national media campaign that informs consumers about alternatives to foreclosure, how to avoid predatory loan terms and how to recognize and report rental discrimination. NFHA's members nationwide, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and other groups will assist with distributing the materials.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, called on Senate Appropriations Committee members as well as members of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development to provide ample funding for housing and community development activities in the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.    » read more »

June 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration's effort to create jobs and ease pressures on the housing market, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced nearly $135 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to spur the development of affordable housing units in Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Washington.

"Today's announcement of housing funds demonstrates how the Recovery Act is putting our nation on the path to economic stability, one community at a time," said Treasury Deputy Secretary Neal Wolin. "This initiative will help to spur construction and development, create much needed jobs, and increase the availability of affordable housing for families around the country."    » read more »

Asks Treasury Nominee to Provide Data about Program's Effectiveness, Make Loan Servicers Accountable

June 4, 2009 -- Citing a report in yesterday’s New York Times, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) questioned Herb Allison, the nominee to be the Treasury Department’s Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability, about the effectiveness of the Administration’s foreclosure mitigation program at Mr. Allison’s confirmation hearing today.    » read more »

Highlights USDA Housing Programs That Help People Obtain Homes, Weatherize and Increase Energy Efficiency

PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill., June 1, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Homeownership Month at a rural housing roundtable in Peoria Heights, Ill., to discuss USDA's rural homeownership programs. The roundtable took place at Advocates for Access, a local organization that helps persons with disabilities become homeowners.

"Homeownership remains the foundation by which families and communities lay claim to the American dream," Vilsack said. "USDA's efforts will not only provide opportunity and security to homeowners, the injection of funding into communities will help stimulate local economies and create jobs."    » read more »

Announcement Comes During Visit to Montana Native American Tribes and Housing Authorities

May 27, 2009 -- BILLINGS, MT - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD is offering more than $252 million to Indian tribes and Alaskan native communities to improve housing and stimulate community development. Provided through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, these grants are intended to promote greater energy efficiency, mold remediation, and energy conservation retrofit investments.    » read more »