EITC is a useful resource for low to moderate income working individuals and families Houston, TX - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) sponsored and organized two town hall meetings to inform tax filers about the Earned Income Tax Credit, also known as EITC. Attendees met with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representatives and tax preparation specialists who assisted them with filing their 2009 tax returns.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois housing market posted its sixth consecutive month of year-over-year home sales increases in February as tax credit and buyer market conditions continue to move the market toward stability. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in February 2010 were up 15.7 percent, totaling 6,068 homes sold compared to February 2009 sales of 5,243 homes. The median price in February 2010 was $135,000, down 3.6 percent from $140,000 in February 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less

Santa Ana, CA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today shut down two fraudulent foreclosure-assistance companies and secured a court judgment that prohibits three individuals from working in the real estate industry and provides more than $1 million in restitution for victims left with "false hope" after paying upfront fees for nonexistent loan-modification services.

Washington, DC - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Inc. (CDC), a member of the national NeighborWorks network, has been awarded $383,400 in funding from NeighborWorks America.

Albany, NY - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor David A. Paterson has signed into law legislation authorizing the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to restructure the ownership of 21 public housing developments as part of a comprehensive rehabilitations plan.

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General McCollum today sent letters to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate President regarding the impact commercial real estate foreclosures could have on Florida's economy and encouraging the legislature to be proactive in addressing the pending crisis

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- CCM is Connecticut's statewide association of towns and cities and the voice of local government - your partners in governing Connecticut. Our members represent over 93% of Connecticut's population. We appreciate this opportunity to provide testimony to you on issues of concern to towns and cities.

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Working to bring affordable housing options and needed jobs to Kankakee, Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11) joined State Senator Toi Hutchinson, State Representative Lisa Dugan, Mayor Samuel Payton, and other local officials and community members at the ground breaking of Sandstone Hills, a single-family rent-to-own community of 29 homes made possible by federal Recovery Act funding."A critical part of the American Dream is the opportunity to have a home our families can call their own," said Halvorson. "The funding provided by the Recovery Act I voted for will offer an opportunity for families to purchase homes they can afford, at a time when they need help the most."

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In Arkansas, the term "energy-efficiency" carries more and more meaning for us in our homes and our bank accounts with each passing day. Because of the federal stimulus program, Arkansas has $2.7 million for families who replace home appliances with new, ENERGY STAR models. ENERGY STAR is an international rating system developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. It lets consumers identify products that conserve energy use and save money on utility bills.

ANCHORAGE, AK - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Friday, March 19, 2010 – Additional south Anchorage housing will soon be available for seniors. The Board of Directors for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation this week approved an $846,000 mortgage loan to Lumen Park Associates for a 20-unit low- to moderate- income independent senior housing project to be located on the east side of Lake Otis Parkway, near the southeast corner of Abbott Road and Lake Otis intersection.

ANCHORAGE, AK - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Friday, March 19, 2010 – The Board of Directors for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Tuesday approved $1.9 million in mortgage loans for Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA) to finance the development of the fourth phase of the Mountain View Village low-income family housing development. A total of 34 housing units will be built at three different locations, consisting of one- to four-bedroom units, renting for between $700 and $1,100 per month to qualified families.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The United States has reached a settlement resolving a housing discrimination lawsuit in Pennsylvania concerning discrimination against families with children, the Justice Department announced.

Roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall system experts share newest sustainable building design and industry practices. 25th RCI International Convention & Trade Show offers top-notch educational programs for the building envelope and the construction community. Orlando, FL - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The growing popularity of rooftop energy production systems, sustainable and vegetated roofs, and the impact of climate, fire and drainage on overall design standards are just a few topics to be explored during a 5-day, intensive, educational program taught by today’s leading authorities within the building envelope industry.

ORLANDO, FL - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces that U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Mark J. Moncher (age 53, of Orlando) to 57 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. The court also ordered Moncher to pay more than $1.9 million in restitution. Moncher had pleaded guilty on December 29, 2009.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that three New Mexico organizations have been awarded federal grants to support efforts to revitalize and sustain community development and promote and preserve affordable housing for New Mexico residents.

Washington, DC - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) offered an amendment in the House Ways and Means Committee on H.R. 4849, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010. Heller’s amendment failed by vote of 15 to 22.

COLUMBUS, OH - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Board approved over $19.3 million in funding for seven affordable housing developments. Approximately $11.5 million of funds approved were provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

WASHINGTON D.C. - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced eight new neighborhood development grants totaling $2,584,

Middletown, CT - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CT REIA, in association with Nyrik and Linda Huuskonen, is announcing a 2-day real estate workshop weekend on March 27th and 28th, 2010. This event will take place at the Exley Science Center, Room 121, at Wesleyan University. The Science Center is located at 45 Wyllys Avenue in Middletown, CT. Tuition for this weekend workshop is $595, and includes lunch and free admission for an additional guest

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Department of Agriculture are being allocated to Illinois rural communities for water system projects to enhance water quality and improve sanitation services. These projects will provide construction jobs and improve water systems infrastructure in rural areas

Aroostook County Housing Counselor Added to Program AUGUSTA, ME - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection signed a contract this month with Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), increasing the number of housing counselors serving Maine homeowners. This contract adds another certified housing counseling service to the seven non-profit agencies currently under contract around the State

STATEHOUSE, IN - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --From surviving Civil War veterans to the servicemen and women of today's Global War on Terror, the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette has stood as a respite for Hoosier heroes in their time of need.

March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- This is "Fix a Leak Week" and officials at the Kentucky Division of Water are encouraging residents to repair small water leaks in their homes. Minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program. They can account for an average of 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year -- enough to fill a backyard swimming poo

Phoenix, AZ - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced a $120,000 settlement with several defendants for their roles in a real estate scheme in Pima County that deceived novice investors, financial lenders and unqualified home buyers

Bill Updates Income Tax Code for Solar Power, Offers Tax Credit for Homeowners who Invest in Community Solar Projects. Washington, D.C. - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A month ago, U.S. Senator Mark Udall had the opportunity to spend a week listening to Coloradans' ideas for how to strengthen the state's economy during a visit to the Western Slope and at an Energy Jobs Summit he co-sponsored in Aurora. He heard firsthand from business leaders and citizens about ways he could partner with Colorado communities to create jobs and strengthen the clean energy economy. And today, Senator Udall rolled out the first of a package of clean-energy job-creation bills based on those ideas - specifically an idea he heard during a visit to Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs

ATLANTA, GA - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that a new 310-room Staybridge Suites will open in early April in the center of Manhattan.

PLANO, TX - March 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that 40 individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a major mortgage fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Senate extended a property tax relief law originally authored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

FRANKFORT, KY - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Kentucky Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Wednesday, March 24, in Elizabethtown as three landowners appeal a local trial court ruling that would allow Kentucky Utilities Co. to condemn their properties for electric transmission lines. Proceedings will take place at 1:45 p.m. EDT at the Hardin County Justice Center and will be open to the public.

BOSTON, MA - March 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Senator John Kerry today announced that Chelsea Neighborhood Developers, Inc. will receive $352,000 in federal funding from NeighborWorks America. The funding will be used to help local communities revitalize and sustain their neighborhoods and to provide counseling to families and individuals facing the threat of foreclosure.