News

Washington, D.C. - July 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and NeighborWorks® America announced that the deadline for the Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program has been extended to Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in order to give homeowners at risk of foreclosure in the participating 27 states and Puerto Rico more time to apply for the program.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is charging James and Julia Norton, a couple who owns rental property in Brown County, Wisconsin, with violating the Fair Housing Act for allegedly establishing different terms for a single mother’s tenancy, including requiring her to be at home when her teenage son had visitors. HUD’s charge also claims that the Nortons’ lease agreement included policies and rules restricting and imposing limitations on families with children.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides in May and June.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms and flooding in April.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today that HUD will provide $46.2 million to public housing agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to supply permanent housing and case management for 6,790 homeless veterans in America.

Washington D.C. - July 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The deadline for homeowners to qualify for the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) is rapidly approaching with all Pre-Applicant Screening Worksheets due by Friday, July 22, 2011.The EHLP, launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with NeighborWorks® America in June, is designed to help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure in 27 states across the country and Puerto Rico. The program assists homeowners who have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical condition.Under EHLP guidelines eligible homeowners can qualify for an interest free loan which pays a portion of their monthly mortgage for up to two years, or up to $50,000, whichever comes first.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced an agreement with Prospect Mortgage, LLC (Prospect) to settle allegations the California-based mortgage lender created sham affiliated business arrangements for the purpose of paying improper kickbacks or referral fees in violation of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). Prospect agreed to dissolve these sham joint ventures and pay $3.1 million to resolve the complaint

WASHINGTON, DC - July 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded more than $1.9 billion to public housing authorities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funds will allow these agencies to make major large-scale improvements to their public housing units. View a full list of public housing authorities receiving funding.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced an agreement with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) to settle allegations the title company paid real estate brokers and other settlement service providers improper kickbacks or referral fees in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). Read the full text of the agreement announced today.

Washington, D.C. - July 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Obama Administration launched Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2), a new and customized pilot initiative to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently. To accomplish this, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; and New Orleans, LA. These teams will work with local governments, the private sector, and other institutions to leverage federal dollars and support the work being done at the local level to encourage economic growth community development.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- All across the country, public housing authorities are struggling to control skyrocketing energy costs, often accounting for nearly a quarter of their operating budgets. To help cut energy bills and consumption, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) will host “Going Green: Intelligent Investments for Public Housing” an energy conservation conference on July 13-14, 2011 in Boston.

Washington, DC - July 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Obama Administration announced adjustments to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements that will require servicers to extend the forbearance period for unemployed homeowners to 12 months. The Administration also intends to require servicers participating in the Making Home Affordable Program (MHA) to extend the minimum forbearance period to 12 months wherever possible under regulator and investor guidelines. These adjustments will provide much needed assistance for unemployed homeowners trying to stay in their homes while seeking re-employment. These changes are intended to set a standard for the mortgage industry to provide more robust assistance to unemployed homeowners in the economic downturn.The changes to FHA’s Special Forbearance Program announced today will require servicers to extend the forbearance period for FHA borrowers who qualify for the program from four months to 12 months and remove upfront hurdles to make it easier for unemployed borrowers to qualify.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homeowners living in Cameron, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes may be eligible for additional compensation under the Louisiana’s Road Home Program under the terms of a settlement agree...

WASHINGTON, DC - July 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today published updated condominium policy guidelines and instructions that clarify the approval and recertification process and policies for condo projects. FHA's mortgagee letter includes a Condominium Policy Guide and Implementation Schedule identifying timelines for lenders to comply with the guidelines

WASHINGTON, DC - June 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kimberly Wize, a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) senior advisor for public housing programs, will serve as the new administrative receiver and one-person board of commissioners for the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA) effective July 1st. HUD announced Wize replaces Mirza Negron Morales, a HUD Deputy Regional Administrator, who served two years in this capacity.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced publication of a final rule setting the minimum standards that states must meet to comply with the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) in licensing mortgage loan originators. The final rule is posted for public display on the Federal Register’s Electronic Public Inspection Desk today and will be published in tomorrow's Federal Register.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today released a study that finds the nation’s 1.2 million public housing units need an estimated $25.6 billion for large scale repairs. This study updates a 1998 analysis and includes costs to address overdue repairs, accessibility improvements for disabled residents, lead abatement, and water and energy conservation that would make the homes more cost effective and energy efficient.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today released a study that finds the nation’s 1.2 million public housing units need an estimated $25.6 billion for large scale repairs. This study updates a 1998 analysis and includes costs to address overdue repairs, accessibility improvements for disabled residents, lead abatement, and water and energy conservation that would make the homes more cost effective and energy efficient

WASHINGTON, DC - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced nearly $210 million in Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG)allocations to 146 tribes in 25 states (see attached list). Thesefunds are distributed each year based on a formula to eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entities for a range of affordable housing activities.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 22, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that HUD will be investing an additional $67 million towards creating stronger, more sustainable communities that connect housing to jobs while fostering local innovation and building a clean energy economy through its Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant program.