Yearly Archives: 2016

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro and the Rockefeller Foundation announced the winners of the $1 billion National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC).  Secretary Castro traveled to Norfolk, Virginia where he joined Governor Terry McAuliffe in announcing the winners of the competition.

Following is a statement from Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), on the unanimous decision by the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition to add solar energy to their policy portfolio and change their name to the “Governors’ Wind & Solar Energy Coalition”

The millennial generation is poised to make a significant impact on home design with their strong preferences for energy efficiency and smart home technology; comfortable, workable kitchens and more casual spaces, said speakers today from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Better Homes and Gardens. Both spoke at a press conference on housing preferences for millennials, Gen X, boomers and seniors held today during the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

Members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) elected four Senior Officers to top leadership positions within the federation during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas

On the heels of the announcement that 2015 was the hottest year on record, today the public comment period closes for the federal backstop for the Clean Power Plan, President Obama’s central strategy to tackle global warming.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority moved one step closer to completing its propane conversion project thanks to the approval of the long awaited permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) acted today to improve the cyber security of the bulk electric system by approving revisions to seven critical infrastructure protection (CIP) Reliability Standards, including requirements for personnel and training, physical security of the bulk electric system’s cyber systems and information protection.

Expenditures for home improvements should see healthy gains in 2016, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

National award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce that the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) awarded KTGY Principal Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP the 2016 55+ Associate of the Year in last night's award ceremony for the Best of 55+ Housing Awards held at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sponsored by the NAHB 55+ Housing Industry Council, this is first time that the 55+ Associate of the Year award has been conferred. The award recognizes an active NAHB 55+ Housing Industry Council member who supports the building industry with exceptional service and/or a quality product; has achieved success through innovation, financial success and integrity.

It’s a rite of passage almost no one will escape: the difficult, emotional journey of downsizing you or your aging parents' home. Here, nationally syndicated home columnist Marni Jameson sensitively guides readers through the process, from opening that first closet, to sorting through a lifetime's worth of possessions, to selling the homestead itself

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for December 2015 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased by 5 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

Mortgage applications increased 9.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 15, 2016.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the 16 collegiate teams selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2017 competition. The teams, from colleges and universities across the United States and around the world, will now begin the nearly two-year process of building solar-powered houses that are affordable, innovative and highly energy-efficient

Nationwide housing starts increased 10.8 percent to 1.11 million units in 2015, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Commerce Department. Single-family starts posted a yearly gain of 10.4 percent to 715,000 units.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it is providing a total of $50,000 in financial and technical guidance to help Selma, AL invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. EPA’s new Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program will assist the community in developing robust and resilient finance strategies for water infrastructure that meets long-term needs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that at the end of February, Ophelia Basgal is retiring from federal service after nearly 40 years of work to promote affordable housing and community development across the nation and throughout the Department’s Pacific/Hawaii region.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly announced the following new residential construction statistics for December 2015

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it is making approximately $15 million available to test a promising housing and services model for low-income seniors to age in their own homes and delay or avoid the need for nursing home care. Read HUD’s Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews today announced he will lead a delegation of 18 American companies on a Smart Cities Infrastructure Business Development Mission to India from February 8-12, 2016, with stops in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Lee Zak and Vice President of Global Business Development at the Export-Import Bank Ray Ellis will also participate in the mission

Residential housing starts will be on the increase in 2015 according to the Portland Cement Association (PCA). During the 2015 International Builders' Show, PCA Chief Economist and Group Vice-President Edward J. Sullivan announced that housing starts will increase 20 percent to 1.2 million units in 2015.