Washington, D.C. – June 4, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — USDA Rural Development Housing Administrator Tammye Treviño today announced that USDA is participating with the White House on a series of upcoming forums to highlight steps the Obama Administration is taking to improve the nation’s housing market and help middle-class families.
“These forums represent the Obama Administration’s ongoing efforts to take aggressive steps on behalf of homeowners who have played by the rules and are trying to get ahead,” Trevino said. “During these meetings, USDA will work with industry stakeholders, citizens and other federal officials to build upon the Administration’s goals to help responsible homeowners refinance loans, stay in their homes and shore up the nation’s housing market.”
In February, the Administration announced a 19-state pilot program to help homeowners get lower mortgage interest rates and lower monthly payments. The initiative is open to borrowers who have loans made or guaranteed by USDA Rural Development. The 19 states participating in the program are: Alabama, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, California, Indiana, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Arizona, Kentucky, New Mexico, South Carolina, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Ohio.
This refinancing opportunity has the potential to reduce monthly mortgage costs for thousands of homeowners.
The upcoming housing forums will be held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. The U.S. Departments of Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development are the principal hosts for these forums. Stakeholders and top officials from USDA Rural Development also will be on hand to discuss other ways to help boost and strengthen homeownership opportunities across the country, particularly in states that have been hardest hit during the economic downturn.
These forums will be closed to the press, but media availabilities will be held after each event. Each forum will focus on a specific state. The upcoming schedule is below. All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Florida June 4 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Illinois June 11 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Ohio June 25 2:00-6:00 p.m.
New Jersey July 9 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President is committed to a smarter use of existing Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $165 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas.
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Contact:
Jay Fletcher 202-690-0498
