#13 Government and Public Real Estate News

Latest National, States Government and Public Real Estate News continually updated from thousands of sources around the U.S.

– National Government and Public Real Estate News –

Center for Green Schools at USGBC Announces Best of Green Schools 2013 List

Recipients Demonstrate Innovative Approaches to School Sustainability, Recognized for Commitment to LEED and Healthy, High-Performing Schools
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today announced its third annual “Best of Green Schools” list, which recognizes top educational institutions, individuals and initiatives across the country for environmental efforts. more…

HUD Properties Available for Homeless Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 17, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — In accordance with the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, HUD published a Notice in the Dec. 13, 2013, Federal Register identifying Federal buildings and other real property HUD has reviewed for suitability for use to assist the homeless. The properties were reviewed using information provided to HUD by Federal landholding agencies or by GSA regarding their inventories of excess or surplus property. The list includes buildings and properties in California. more…

FHFA Releases 2013 Performance and Accountability Report

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Acting Director Edward J. DeMarco today released FHFA’s 2013 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) detailing the Agency’s progress as regulator and conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and regulator of the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs). The PAR discusses accomplishments, ongoing efforts to assist homeowners, challenges and continued efforts to meet FHFA’s strategic goals for FY 2013. more…

Builder Confidence Rises Four Points in December

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes improved four points to a 58 reading on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for December, released today. This gain reflected improvement in all three index components – current sales conditions, sales expectations and traffic of prospective buyers. more…

Justice Department Files Fair Housing Lawsuit Against Owner and Manager of Rental Housing in New Hampshire for Discrimination Against Families with Children

The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of rental apartments in Jaffrey, N.H., for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against families with children.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, alleges that Bruce R. Edwards, as Trustee of the Bruce R. Edwards Revocable Trust of 2004 and in his personal capacity, engaged in a pattern or practice of violating the Fair Housing Act or denied rights protected by the Act. According to the complaint, the defendant allegedly established and implemented a discriminatory “no children” policy for prospective tenants in a boarding house that he owned and managed. The suit also alleges that the defendant violated the Fair Housing Act by enforcing the “no children” provision of the lease against a tenant and requiring the tenant to immediately find other housing arrangements for his daughter, who visited the boarding house on weekends. more…

– States Government and Public Real Estate News –

New Jersey: Consumer Affairs Legal Action Results in $137,000 Being Returned to Homeowners Whose Roofs, Chimneys and Gutters Were Damaged By Contractors

Homeowners whose roofs, chimneys and gutters were intentionally damaged by representatives of home improvement contractors during inspections or repairs have received a total of $137,733.84 in restitution, under terms of an August settlement that resolved a lawsuit brought by the Office of the Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs on behalf of the consumers. more…

Nevada: City Of Las Vegas Employee Marco Velotta Recognized By The Nevada Chapter Of The U.S. Green Building Council

City of Las Vegas employee Marco Velotta received the 2013 Individual Award for Organizational Excellence at the recent U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Nevada Green Gala held at the Nevada State Museum. more…

Florida: Former Contractor of a Florida Property Management Company Sentenced to Serve Time in Prison for Wire Fraud

A former repair contractor of a Florida property management company was sentenced to serve time in prison for his participation in a wire fraud scheme related to housing repairs made under a contract between Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Justice announced today. more…

New Hampshire: Shaheen, Ayotte, Kuster Call on EPA to Connect All Homes Showing Water Contamination to Public Water System

New Hampshire lawmakers are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to connect additional households in Atkinson showing chemical contamination in their water supply to a new water main to help ensure reliable access to safe drinking water. In a letter sent today to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) are requesting homes in the town of Atkinson that are showing any level of 1,4 Dioxane contamination be provided access to a new water main. The town of Atkinson has been struggling for the last several years with the contamination of 1,4 Dioxane – a chemical solvent with hazardous effects – in the drinking wells of 44 homes. more…

Pennsylvania: What are the Odds? 1 in 10 Chance Pennsylvanians are owed some of the Mega Billions in Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Database

The odds of winning the ever-growing Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 259 million, but State Treasurer Rob McCord today reminded Pennsylvanians that they have a one in 10 shot at finding money that belongs to them in Treasury’s unclaimed property database. With the average claim amount around $1,200, it could be well worth a moment to search the free database at www.patreasury.gov, the Treasurer noted. more…

Pennsylvania: Governor Corbett Awards Incentive Grants for Innovative Projects

Governor Tom Corbett today awarded nearly $2 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants (AFIG) to four successful applicants for their innovative alternative fuel technology projects.
“I am particularly pleased to be awarding GE Transportation $1 million to demonstrate their natural gas dual fuel technology,” Corbett said. “Such innovation is key in finding even more benefit from Pennsylvania’s abundant shale formations.” more…

New York: Rep. Maloney Criticizes FHFA Proposal to Gradually Reduce Conforming Loan Limits

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) today criticized a Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) proposal that could result in reduced access to mortgages for middle-class families. Maloney, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises, says that reductions in conforming loan limits being considered by FHFA would cut thousands of families out of the housing market by forcing them to seek private mortgages, which typically require credit scores above 760 and average down payments of nearly 34 percent. more…

Washington: Council passes resolution relating to principle reduction, foreclosure

The resolution establishes a City of Seattle Interdepartmental Team, or IDT, which will evaluate whether principal reduction and other foreclosure prevention programs effectively provide assistance to low- income homeowners. The IDT is scheduled to report back to Council on March 15, 2014 with recommendations of which approaches Seattle should consider in an effort to help low-income homeowners and revitalize communities impacted by the foreclosure crisis. more…

Washington: City announces $27 Million in affordable housing investments

Mayor Mike McGinn and Office of Housing Director Rick Hooper have announced over $27 million in affordable housing investments, funded primarily from the Seattle Housing Levy. The 2013 funding awards are provided to housing organizations in Seattle who will build or preserve 432 quality rental units that are rent-restricted for at least 50 years. more…

Tennessee: Groundbreaking for New Housing in Lonsdale

On Thursday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m., Mayor Madeline Rogero will join officials from the East Tennessee Housing Development Corporation to break ground on two new houses that ETHDC is building on lots in the Lonsdale neighborhood. The two lots are located at 3425 and 3435 Bishop St. The homes are expected to be priced at $110,000. They are currently planned as three bedrooms, two baths, and approximately 1,176 square feet. more…

Alaska: Governor Parnell Announces Board Appointments

Governor Sean Parnell today announced appointments to the board of directors of the Alaska Railroad Corporation, Real Estate Commission, Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission, Emerging Energy Technology Fund Advisory Committee, Denali Access System Advisory Committee, State Officers Compensation Commission, and Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council. more…

– Government and Public Real Estate News in Media –

Connecticut’s invisible homeless are youths

Janai Kemp started couch surfing at 14, shortly after his parents split up.
“By the time my father left home, I was just getting into smoking weed and kind of doing my own thing,” he said. “I had a feeling my mother was about to leave and get her own place, and leave me with one of my older sisters, so I just left home.” more…

Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Heating

Our new Energy Saver 101 infographic lays out everything you need to know about home heating — from how heating systems work and the different types on the market to what to look for when replacing your system and proper maintenance. more…

FHA Faces $1.3 Billion Capital Shortfall

The Federal Housing Administration, which in September received a first-ever $1.7 billion bailout from the U.S. Treasury, said an audit of its finances has found it still faces a $1.3 billion capital shortfall. more…