Archives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- What are the most pressing legal issues faced by people experiencing homelessness and poverty after Hurricane Sandy, and what can lawyers do to support efforts to address these issues

WASHINGTON, DC - April 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the winner of a mobile application competition designed to make local assistance resources accessible to people helping homeless Veterans and others in need. The winner of the $25,000 prize was Reston, Va.-based Qbase, which developed “Homeless REACH.” VA’s Center for Innovation (VACI) sponsored the competition, called Project REACH (Real-time Electronic Access for Caregivers and Homeless), in collaboration with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In accordance with the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, HUD published a Notice in the April 12, 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 Alaska, Virginia, and Washington

WASHINGTON, DC - April 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Yesterday, President Barack Obama released his administration’s budget proposal for fiscal year (FY) 2014, which will begin on Oct. 1, 2013. If passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law, this budget would make the largest investment to date in homeless veteran assistance programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- President Obama sent a budget request to Congress that would improve funding levels for key HUD low income housing programs over FY13 funding levels, but does not meet the need. For public and assisted housing programs that serve some of the nation’s poorest seniors, people with disabilities, and families, the President’s budget would restore these programs to pre-sequestration levels. The President would also increase funding for HUD’s homeless assistance programs. I appreciate the intent to protect housing aid for those who currently receive it, but would hope Congress can achieve a more adequate level of funding in the final budget.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21^st century organization, the President has proposed a $152.7 billion budget, a 10.2 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2013, that will support VA’s goals to expand access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, and end homelessness among Veterans. The budget includes $66.5 billion in discretionary spending, largely for healthcare, and $86.1 billion for mandatory programs – mostly disability compensation and pensions for Veterans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In spite of declines in incomes and affordable housing, federal investments in smart strategies have led to significant declines in chronic and veteran homelessness. However, worsening economic and housing indicators threaten progress. And recent budget cuts could mean less investment in solutions that have led to declines in homelessness, like permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and homeless assistance funding for communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- After decades of equating homeownership with the American Dream, post-housing crisis realism about the risks and rewards of owning a home have led to greater support for rental housing and a more balanced approach in national housing policy, according to a new survey of housing attitudes released toda

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On April 3, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers. HVRP is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on the employment of veterans who are homeless.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The office that best embodies the Sperry Van Ness® culture and thus is able to increase its market share receives the Sperry Van Ness Firm of the Year award. This year, the award is given to Sperry Van Ness - Miller Commercial Real Estate.

WASHINGTON DC METRO - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing needs are rising as the number of homeless families and children reach staggering proportions, but providing housing opportunities to a varying level of incomes is also a key component to sustaining the region's economic vitality. Without equitable housing, local employers are faced with recruitment and retention issues, and city planners must tackle smart growth, land use and transportation challenges

WASHINGTON, DC - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

ERIE COUNTY, NY - March 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Erie County Department of Social Services (“ECDSS”) reported today that 2,198 individuals were placed in emergency homeless shelters in 2012, an increase of 14% from 2011. Families with children accounted for approximately one-third of those placements, and are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. On an average night, 45 families and 76 homeless single adults are placed in shelter by ECDSS. As of March 26, 2013, ECDSS has made 518 placements in emergency shelter, with 148 of those being families with children.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal court has ruled that the City of Dallas may not enforce a law that prevents religious organizations from providing food to homeless persons living outdoors.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has recognized Samaritan Inns, Inc. and the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing Inc. (APAH) as part of its Neighborhood Builder® program. The recognition awards high-performing nonprofits that have made a significant impact in the community working in the bank’s priority funding areas of housing, jobs and hunger relief. The Neighborhood Builder program is a strategic investment that pairs leadership training with a $200,000 unrestricted grant so leaders gain valuable skills while applying funding where it is most needed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In a ruling issued earlier today in Washington, D.C., a federal court denied the Obama Administration's motion to set aside a 1993 court order against the federal government requiring compliance with Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a law that gives homeless services providers access to unused federal properties for free.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In accordance with the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, HUD published a Notice in the March 22, 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, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A poll commissioned by the National Low Income Housing Coalition finds that while most Americans do favor the mortgage interest deduction, majorities of Americans support proposals to make the tax break more targeted, and more than half want the savings from reform to be used to end homelessness

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A poll commissioned by the National Low Income Housing Coalition finds that while most Americans do favor the mortgage interest deduction, majorities of Americans support proposals to make the tax break more targeted, and more than half want the savings from reform to be used to end homelessness.

Washington, D.C. - March 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Donated legal services to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty topped $6 million in 2012, a record breaking contribution to the organization, which serves as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to prevent and end homelessness.