Housing & Development

AUSTIN, TX - November 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Perry today criticized the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for telling Texans “there is no compelling need to immediately approve” the state’s application for continued Hurricanes Ike and Dolly recovery funding.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - November 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Housing will hold a Telephonic Board Meeting on November 13, 2009 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will address the consideration of necessary actions related to approval of credit underwriting reports and market studies.

C.A.R. reports entry-level housing affordability reached 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009. LOS ANGELES, CA - November 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The percentage of households that could afford to buy an entry-level home in California stood at 64 percent in the third quarter of 2009, compared with 55 percent (revised) for the same period a year ago, according to a report released today by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

WASHINGTON, DC - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- A key tax incentive designed to spur rebuilding efforts in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina would be extended for two years by legislation introduced today by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran

West Babylon, NY - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) is proud to announce that County Executive Steve Levy has signed ground breaking fair housing legislation for Co-ops into law.

Pierre, SD - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) recently awarded Ms. Julie Clark with their “Friend of Housing” award during their 19th Annual Housing Conference held in Pierre.

November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home Federal Savings Bank, Detroit, Michigan, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Liberty Bank and Trust Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, to assume all of the deposits of Home Federal Savings Bank.

Albany, NY - November 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recently helped Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless open its new Sheridan Hollow Housing project, while recognizing November as Homeless Awareness Month, at an event in Albany.

Washington (DC), November 7, 2009 - Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) commended the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by the U.S. House of Representatives, which was passed by a vote of 220-215.

New York, NY - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero today announced the recipients of the agency’s second round of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP).

BOSTON, MA - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- November 9, 2009 – MassHousing announced loan commitments today of up to $43 million for the renovation and preservation of affordability at the 500-unit Castle Square housing community in Boston’s South End.

$28M Mixed-Use Project to Transform Neighborhood Landmark, make Available New Affordable Homeownership and Rental Housing. November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) Director Evelyn Friedman today joined the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), New Atlantic Development Corporation (NADC), and community members to celebrate the completion of the first 16 new units of housing on the site of the former Blessed Sacrament church. The completed $28 million development, expected for the end of 2010, will yield a total of 118 units of housing, the majority of which will be available to low and moderate income households.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) issued the following statement on the announcement that $150 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Funds will be made available for the purchase of 1,352 homes damaged due to the floods of last year. In June, Congressman Loebsack spearheaded efforts that garnered $517 million in CDGB funds for Iowa, bringing the total CDBG funds allocated to Iowa to nearly $800 million.

SUNRISE, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Interagency Mortgage Task Force today hosted a Broward County community forum to discuss the housing crisis. The event, designed to present a comprehensive approach for dealing with housing-related issues, provided community education and assistance to over 100 attendees. Participating agencies included state agencies, law enforcement, and regulatory authorities.

ALBANY, NY - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) a grant for $49,716 to allow OMRDD to continue to provide comprehensive housing counseling to individuals with developmental disabilities, their income-eligible parents or legal guardians, and direct care professionals.

NEW YORK, NY - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The boards of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) today approved more than $18.8 million in financing to create and preserve 432 affordable housing units throughout New York State.

Raleigh, NC - November 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Five affordable housing developments received Housing North Carolina Awards on Nov. 3 during the N.C. Affordable Housing Conference at the Raleigh Convention Center.

COLUMBUS, OH - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Funding made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will support the creation of over 750 units of new affordable housing in 17 Ohio communities.

New York, NY - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York Housing Conference (NYHC) and the National Housing Conference (NHC) announced today that Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will deliver the keynote address at the NYHC and NHC 36th Annual Awards Luncheon on December 10.

Leesburg, VA - November 6 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) has announced Fiscal Year 10 funding allocations under its SPARC program (Sponsoring Partnerships and Revitalizing Communities), a below-market-rate loan program administered by the Loudoun County Department of Family Services

Washington, D.C. - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to extend two economic stimulus provisions championed by Congresswoman Melissa Bean to aid struggling small businesses and support the recovering housing market.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) voted for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act to provide Connecticut families hit hardest by the recession a 14 week extension of unemployment benefits. And to strengthen Connecticut's housing market, the bill includes an extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit through next spring, expands eligibility for the homebuyer credit, and provides housing tax relief for Connecticut's military families. This legislation will not add to the deficit, and President Obama is expected to sign it quickly.

Washington, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), co-chair of the Senate Real Estate Caucus and one of the authors of the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit, today praised the Senate for its timely action to keep the $8,000 credit from expiring at the end of this month. In September, Senator Cardin led a group of Senators, including Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Harry Reid (D-NV), John Ensign (R-NV), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), introducing a bill to extend the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit

Washington, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), co-chair of the Senate Real Estate Caucus and one of the authors of the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit, today praised the Senate for its timely action to keep the $8,000 credit from expiring at the end of this month. In September, Senator Cardin led a group of Senators, including Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Harry Reid (D-NV), John Ensign (R-NV), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), introducing a bill to extend the first-time homebuyers’ tax credit

Washington, D.C. - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator David Vitter today joined a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators from three states in introducing a resolution that urges banks and mortgage lenders to work with the estimated 1,300 homeowners in 26 states who are dealing with health and safety issues linked to the use of contaminated drywall. The homeowners have reported a range of similar problems with structural corrosion and odors, as well as many common health concerns, including headaches, rashes, burning eyes and nosebleeds.

Washington, DC - November 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council today announced that key Obama environmental adviser Carol M. Browner will be the keynote speaker at the closing plenary session of USGBC’s annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, held Nov.11-13, 2009, in Phoenix, Ariz.

NASHVILLE, TN - November 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Council of State Housing Agencies has recognized a partnership between the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and the Tennessee Department of Revenue with an award for Tennessee’s Community Investment Tax Credit.

RALEIGH, NC - November 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco today announced that five North Carolina communities will receive $1.23 million in Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Tax Credit Housing Development funds to provide housing and related needs for low- and moderate-income residents.

Albany, NY - November 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced the award of $27 million in stimulus funds that will help jumpstart seven developments that had been stalled by the economic downturn.

AUGUSTA, ME - November 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly 10,000 apartments, including more than 650 vacancies, are now listed at MaineHousingSearch.org., the new website that matches landlords with apartments to rent with people looking for an apartment. This new rental listing service is free for both landlords and renters.