Housing & Development

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency has awarded two grants totaling $148,998 to Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. of Lowville.

NEW YORK, NY - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The City of Jamestown will receive $421,657 in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stimulate its economy and produce affordable housing.

Houston, TX - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs today hailed the awarding of $2.1 million in grants from the Veteran’s Administration to two local agencies to help house homeless veterans in Houston.

Washington, DC - October 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13, Congressmen Robert Wexler (FL-19), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), and Ron Klein (FL-22) and State Senator Ted Deutch will be joined by President Barack Obama’s Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Shaun Donovan, for a tour of a Boynton Beach home afflicted by contaminated drywall. Reps. Wexler and Diaz-Balart, the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Contaminated Drywall, will emphasize to Secretary Donovan the devastating impact the tainted drywall has had on the lives of the Roberts family, who own a home in the community of Cobblestone Creek. Dr. Steve Roberts and his wife Jennifer Roberts have struggled with their 16 month-old daughter’s frequent respiratory infections, and the fact that their home has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in value as a result of this toxic product

TALLAHASSEE, FL - October 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Reports recently received by Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) show a significant increase in the number Floridians finding affordable rental housing using www.FloridaHousingSearch.org, which is the Corporation’s FREE online rental housing locator. According to the data in the report, provided by Socialserve.com®, 39 percent of the rented units on the state’s Search.org affordable rental housing locator were located by consumers using www.Floridahousingsearch.org or the Locator's call-center.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to provide those serving in the armed forces with the full housing benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) today voted in support of bipartisan legislation that expands housing benefits to uniformed service members and other federal employees.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to provide those serving in the armed forces with the full housing benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) today voted in support of bipartisan legislation that expands housing benefits to uniformed service members and other federal employees.

Sacramento, CA - October 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- MERIT, a leading provider of professional community association and rental management services, promoted Joe Price to Northern California Vice President of Community Management. Price will be responsible for leading the Northern California division while positioning for growth in the East Bay, Central Valley, Stockton and San Francisco markets.

11 agencies to serve at-risk families statewide; Funds will provide housing relocation, stabilization and financial assistance Topeka, KS - October 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Kansas Housing Resources Corporation has announced the award of approximately $8.4 million in homelessness prevention grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funds will allow 11 [...]

Must Close Before December 1, 2009 to Qualify for Advance Loan on Federal Credit. CHICAGO, IL - October 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the federal tax credit deadline fast approaching, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) reminds potential first-time homebuyers to take advantage of the Home Start Tax Advance Loan. The deadline for the loan, which offers up to $6,000 in down payment assistance, is December 1, 2009.

SACRAMENTO, CA - October 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- New home sales in California remained at historic low levels in August signaling that the state’s housing sector may be slow to recover from a stubborn recession. The California Building Industry Association reported today that sales in new-home communities of 10 units or more, though better than July’s steep decline, were 13 percent below August 2008

Funds to Support Housing Counseling Program in Waterloo. Des Moines, IA - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently approved a $50,000 grant to Operation Threshold from the State Housing Trust Fund’s Project-Based Program. The program helps finance the development of affordable single-family and multifamily housing units.

DES MOINES, IA - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Chet Culver has announced that three housing developments have been awarded a total of more than $18.5 million to construct or preserve affordable housing in central and eastern Iowa. The awards were made through the Culver/Judge I-JOBS initiative and the federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support projects in Ames, Cedar Rapids and Davenport. The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) administers the programs.

Washington, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, chaired by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), held a hearing today on “The Future of the Federal Housing Administration’s Capital Reserves: Assumptions, Predictions and Implications for Homebuyers”. FHA plays an increasingly important role in the nation’s housing market. Recent news articles have raised concerns about the FHA’s capital reserve fund, the account the agency uses to pay insurance claims to lenders when borrowers default on home loans. Assistant Secretary for Housing and FHA Commissioner David Stevens, testified today regarding steps FHA is taking to boost capital reserve levels.

Washington, D.C. - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) voted for two key measures for service members and veterans. H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, speeds the delivery of funding for veterans health care and H.R. 3590, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act, assists service members looking to buy or sell their homes and extends home-buying incentives.

Columbia, MD - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Council Chair Joseph Bartenfelder, Councilman John Olszewski Sr., and representatives from Enterprise Homes, Inc. and the Mark Building Company cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the model homes at Renaissance Square, a new green housing community in Middle River. Renaissance Square will have 115 for-sale homes and townhomes and 81 apartments for seniors in the new Evergreen building. The model homes will be open for public tours beginning Friday, October 9, at 11 a.m. and thereafter from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The sales center is located at 15 St. Stephen’s Lane, off of Old Eastern Avenue, just east of Back River Neck Road

Washington, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today introduced two related measures aimed at promoting economic recovery by strengthening the housing sector, boosting homes sales, and stabilizing property values. Both bills are fully offset to remain budget neutral and would extend or amplify the popular first-time home buyer (FTHB) tax credit, which is set to expire at the end of November

Insists Extraordinary Assistance Cannot Continue, Calls for Extension of GSE and FHA Loan Limits. October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) held an oversight hearing to probe the role that Government-Sponsored Enterprises should play to ensure the future strength of the American housing market.

Insists Extraordinary Assistance Cannot Continue, Calls for Extension of GSE and FHA Loan Limits. October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) held an oversight hearing to probe the role that Government-Sponsored Enterprises should play to ensure the future strength of the American housing market.

PHILADELPHA, PA - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced Upper Darby and Abington will receive more than $2.9 million to support community development and produce more affordable housing.

BECKLEY, W.Va. - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (W.Va.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development agency has approved $175,600 in housing preservation funds for Greenbrier, Fayette, McDowell and Wyoming Counties.

October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Learn about fair housing practices and laws at a free three-hour workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 15, at the city of Phoenix, Calvin C. Goode Municipal Building, 251 W. Washington St., 7th Floor.

Eagle Grant is part of $71,226 Awarded to Colorado Rural Communities. October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, announced today that local efforts to repair local housing units for elderly residents will get a $26,900 boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Inspirational speaker also on agenda; variety of workshops scheduled. AUGUSTA, ME - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- One of the nation’s top energy officials and an inspirational speaker will join Governor John E. Baldacci in addressing the state’s housing leaders at Maine’s 2009 Affordable Housing Conference October 19 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Inspirational speaker also on agenda; variety of workshops scheduled. AUGUSTA, ME - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- One of the nation’s top energy officials and an inspirational speaker will join Governor John E. Baldacci in addressing the state’s housing leaders at Maine’s 2009 Affordable Housing Conference October 19 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Inspirational speaker also on agenda; variety of workshops scheduled. AUGUSTA, ME - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- One of the nation’s top energy officials and an inspirational speaker will join Governor John E. Baldacci in addressing the state’s housing leaders at Maine’s 2009 Affordable Housing Conference October 19 at the Augusta Civic Center.

SAN JOSE, CA - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009, the state’s largest real estate trade show, opens today at 5 p.m. at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, Calif. Running Oct. 6-8, CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009 features more than 50 cutting-edge seminars, hot new products, and networking opportunities for California REALTORS®. CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009 also offers more than 150 exhibit booths and is expected to attract more than 7,000 attendees. Educational seminars range from hands-on computer training and social networking for business to short sales and home staging.“CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009 provides an invaluable networking and educational opportunity to California REALTORS®,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak. “The event has something for everyone, whether a new REALTOR® curious about how to thrive in California’s ever-changing market, or a seasoned veteran looking for new ways to boost their bottom line.”

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the awarding of more than $68 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) weatherization funding to non-profit, local government and community action agencies throughout the state. This funding is federally designated to help low-income families weatherize their homes, which decreases utility bills and saves energy while stimulating local economies. Administered by the State Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), California’s low-income Recovery Act weatherization program was one of the first 15 state plans federally approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Houston, TX - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Radisson Denver North, Colorado, Texas has been sold. Lisa Hankamer of CB Richard Ellis' Hotels Group, announced that the sale of the 133-unit, interior corridor property occurred at the end of September 2009. The Hotel, which is a local landmark, has great visibility along I-25, just 10 minutes north of Downtown Denver and was sold free-and-clear of management and franchise affiliation. The new owners, Stone Castle Corporation, has over 20 year's experience operating hotels in the state of Colorado and have a proven track record for repositioning hotels within their respective market arenas. Approximately $6 million will be spent on upgrading the facility and rebranding. The group has a history operating under most of the major brands and has been quite successful in capturing a broader market base through their repositioning.

October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC) will hold its annual forum on Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville. Homeowners and residents of common ownership communities in the County are invited to attend, as well as professionals who work with those communities