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WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing titled “Housing Finance Reform: Powers and Structure of a Strong Regulator.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The top amenities for apartment residents include high speed internet access, a patio or balcony and in-unit washer/dryers, according to a new landmark survey by the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and Kingsley Associates

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that a new national report shows a 24 percent reduction in homelessness among Veterans since 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today the Senate changed its rules to eliminate filibusters on presidential nominees (apart from Supreme Court Justices). The so-called nuclear option invoked by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) paves the way for nominees to be confirmed by simple majority votes, which means that Senate Democrats can prevail without Republican votes if they remain united.

WASHINGTON - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released its latest national estimate of homelessness in the U.S., noting reductions in every major category or subpopulation since 2010, the year the federal government established "Opening Doors," a strategic plan to end homelessness. HUD's 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress finds significant and measureable progress to reduce the scale of long-term or 'chronic' homelessness as well as homelessness experienced by Veterans and families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- HBI has once again been named one of The Washingtonian’s 50 Great Places to Work in the Washington, D.C. area. The recognition marks HBI’s fifth consecutive award since 2005. Upon hearing the news of the recognition, HBI’s President & CEO, John Courson, stated “achieving the honor of being named a Great Place to Work only happens because of HBI’s great team of dedicated and committed employees. The collegial work environment created by the HBI team enhances our mission of Building Careers, Building Individuals and Building Homes.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it has issued a “green bond” consisting of a three-year, fixed-rate bond that is $500 million in aggregate principal amount. This issuance of bonds is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to advance renewable energy initiatives and promote energy efficiency

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A unique software application created by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) could improve the efficiency of commercial buildings by allowing occupants to interact with buildings more directly

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- For Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS^®) mortgage-backed securities (MBS) with issue dates beginning on or after January 1, 2014, Fannie Mae will provide enhanced transparency related to affordable housing programs associated with the underlying properties. Fannie Mae will also begin providing additional data elements related to Other Debt, when applicable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rob Couch, a member of the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Housing Commission, will testify before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs at a hearing tomorrow on housing finance reform.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) 2014 economic forecast for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry is consistent with ongoing recovery in nonresidential construction spending next year. However, the recovery remains constrained by a lack of conviction regarding overall macroeconomic and budgetary prospects in the United States

Low mortgage rates are not pushing most renters to consider homeownership Washington - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The worst housing crisis in generations...

Philadelphia, Pa. - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announces that LEED v4, the newest version of the LEED green building program, launched today at the annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia. LEED has revolutionized the marketplace since 1998 as the world’s premier benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED v4 builds on the fundamentals of previous versions while offering a new system that prepares all LEED projects in a portfolio to perform at a higher level

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In recognition of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, Mercy Housing launches Home Is, a national cause-marketing campaign that brings attention to the importance of “Home.” In our busy lives, it is easy to take for granted the importance of a home to come to every night – a place where you are safe, where you are comfortable, and that belongs to you and your family

Washington, D.C. - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today filed a request for an injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against an Aug. 27 rule from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) that drastically alters federal contractors’ existing affirmative action and nondiscrimination obligations for individuals with disabilities

Washington, - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee held a hearing today on the importance of implementing the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act in order to protect taxpayers from having to continue bailing out the debt-ridden National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) called on Congress today to take steps to resolve unintended consequences of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act that are resulting in huge premium spikes for many home owners and impacting the sale, construction and remodeling of homes across the nation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit that repairs and rehabs the homes of low-income homeowners, held its National Conference in our nation’s capital at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. This three-day high-impact event brought together hundreds of affiliate leaders from across the nation to attend focused workshops, plenary sessions, and facilitated networking.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fifth Third Bank donated $150,000 to Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit, to fund long-term home rebuilding projects with a special emphasis on veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) recently released a macroeconomic study of immigration reform that showed immigration reform would produce powerful benefits to the U.S. economy. Notably, the study showed that immigration reform would jump-start the housing market by increasing spending on residential construction by an average of $68 billion annually over a 20-year period.