The Virginia Housing Coalition and the VHC Information Service would like to extend a special thank you to the VHDA for sharing their news clipping service.
To view headlines and summaries of recent news articles related to housing, with links to the full article, simply click on the appropriate link below.
VHC News Clips, volume 2009-27 (January 7, 2010)
Put to Emissions Test, Va. Families Attempt Lower-Carbon Lifestyles
Boston.com, January 4
(RECAP: If Americans really take the plunge and enter a carbon-constrained world, it might look a little like the Stokes family's home in Falls Church , Va. )Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging Receives $10,000 Grant For Upcoming Project Dnronline.com, January 4
(RECAP: On Monday, Dec. 14, the town of Woodstock received a $10,000 Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) Grant on behalf of the SAAA. The town was the applicant and the agency will receive the funds.)The Biggest Losers
The Wall Street Journal, January 4
(RECAP: The Treasury's Christmas Eve decision to lift the $400 billion cap on potential losses for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as the limits on what the failed companies can borrow will prove to be another burden for taxpayers.)Fannie and Freddie
The Washington Post, January 4
(RECAP: Tucked away in the year-end news was the revelation that regulators have approved pay packages of up to $6 million each for the chief executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The companies are undoubtedly important: They back $5.4 trillion in home mortgages and account for nine-tenths of new home loan originations. But they are essentially bankrupt and depend on tens of billions of dollars from the Treasury.)Hampton Roads Housing Market Had a Good Decade
The Virginian-Pilot, January 3
(RECAP: Using data from the National Association of Realtors, the real estate news Web site HousingWatch.com ranked the 10 best and 10 worst housing markets of the decade, based on price appreciation through the third quarter of 2009. The Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metro area came in at No. 5.)Old Town Alexandria VA Real Estate Inventory Getting Low : Don't Miss The Other Countdown For The $6500 Tax Credit
Tamara Inzuna, January 2
(RECAP: The sands of time are steadily pouring down as the new deadline for the extended $8000 Federal Housing Tax Credit starts to creep up on the Alexandria VA real estate market for home buyers. The tax credit has also been expanded to provide a $6500 credit for move-up sellers.)Homeless Shelters Adapt to Cold Weather
WSLS.com, January 2
(RECAP: The Roanoke Rescue Mission has to adapt to the cold weather. It's a night shelter that usually turns visitors away during the day, but on cold weekends the homeless can extend their stay.)York Home Values Dip by Only 3.5%
The Virginia Gazette, January 2
(RECAP: For the first time since the housing bubble burst two years ago, homeowners are seeing slightly lower property assessments.)APAH Closes on Buchanan Gardens Property
Sun Gazette, January 1
(RECAP: The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing closed on the purchase of the 111-unit Buchanan Gardens garden-apartment complex, and will embark on a five-year renovation plan that will provide larger, family-friendly units and upgrade mechanical and electrical systems and amenities for residents.)U.S. to Lose $400 Billion on Fannie, Freddie, Wallison Says
BusinessWeek, December 31
(RECAP: Taxpayer losses from supporting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will top $400 billion, according to Peter Wallison, a former general counsel at the Treasury.)Loan Woes? Banks Expected to Share Biscuit Burden
MovingToNovaBuzz.com, December 31
(RECAP: With at least part of its $34 million loan already declared in “early stage delinquency” by the lead lender, Biscuit Run's conversion to a state park may leave several banks with millions in losses.)Alexandria Family Finds a Home Through Va. 's Neighborhood Stabilization Program
The Washington Post, December 31
(RECAP: Saroj and Radhika Chhetri had always dreamed of owning a home. Until two weeks ago, the couple sat hoping for a better future in a one-bedroom apartment in Alexandria . Their hopes became reality Dec. 16, when they became the first family in the city to acquire a home through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.)‘Un-ball' Works Out Well for Presbyterian Homes
The News & Advance, December 30
(RECAP: Presbyterian Homes and Family Services decided early this year to forgo its Mad Hatter's Ball, normally held on New Year's Eve. Instead it “un-invited” people to an “un-ball,” asking them to ring in the new year at home and make a donation to the nonprofit organization.)Many Struggle Even as Home Prices Fall
Star Exponent, December 30
(RECAP: Home prices may be falling, but in parts of Virginia and the D.C. metro area, more people are struggling to pay mortgages and rent now than in 2005, according to statistics from an agency that tracks housing costs.)Lawmakers Want Probe Into Treasury Aid for Fannie, Freddie
The Wall Street Journal, December 30
(RECAP: The Treasury Department's surprise Christmas Eve move to uncap the potential aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be investigated, lawmakers from both political parties said Wednesday.)Federal Money Pours in for Homeless
The Roanoke Times, December 29
(RECAP: The federal government announced last week that it renewed funding for 131 local homeless assistance programs throughout Virginia . The announcement includes $708,856 for programs in Roanoke , Roanoke County and Salem .)American Sustainability Initiative To Build 12,000 Energy-Efficient Modular Homes in Two Years
Ecohomemagazine.com, December 28
(RECAP: On Jan. 15 AmeriSus will take its first steps toward the goal of building 12,000 market-rate, energy-efficient homes in two years. The prefabricated home manufacturer, which is seeking builders in 14 states and Washington D.C. to erect its affordable green houses, already has commitments for 300 homes, officials say.)JABA to Help with Later-Life Planning
Charlottesville Daily Progress, December 26
(RECAP: The Jefferson Area Board for Aging has started a program to give local mid-income seniors and veterans more choices in where they live as they age.)News Clips Archives
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