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 2009-32 (February 11, 2010)
No Exit in Sight for U.S. As Fannie, Freddie Flail
The Wall Street Journal, February 9
(RECAP: When Charles E. Haldeman Jr. became Freddie Mac's chief executive officer in August, the ailing housing-finance giant had already consumed $51 billion of government money to stay afloat. It's likely to need even more.)Fairfax Considers Spending $600K to House Two Families
Washington Examiner, February 8
(RECAP: Some Fairfax County leaders want to pay $600,000 to obtain affordable housing for two large families. The county Board of Supervisors will decide Tuesday whether to acquire two vacant, single-family houses on West Ox Road , using hundreds of thousands of dollars in refinancing to enhance the county's affordable housing stock.)We Can Create Housing Opportunities
Richmond Times Dispatch, February 7
(RECAP: Homeownership is part of the American Dream. However, many Virginia families struggle to find -- or keep -- affordable housing. This is not just a problem among low-income groups, but is increasingly a problem for the middle class.)Builders Have High Hopes for Housing
The Roanoke Times, February 7
(RECAP: Never mind the past year's dim real estate market. Optimism runs high at one Bonsack community.)Fairfax Seeks Legislative Fix for Affordable Homes
Washington Examiner, February 7
(RECAP: Fairfax County supervisors are pushing for more power to recoup their stock of affordable housing, after dozens of unscrupulous loans sent a bevy of cost-controlled homes into foreclosure last year.)Sales of Homes in Hampton Roads Slip in January
The Virginian-Pilot, February 6
(RECAP: Home sales in South Hampton Roads fell in January, according to a report released Friday.)It's Property Tax Assessment Time. Here's What Homeowners Need to Know.
Washington Post, February 6
(RECAP: It's that time of year again. Thousands of Washington area homeowners are receiving their property tax assessment notices from their local jurisdictions.)EDA Member Challenges Housing Project's Value to City
Falls Church Times, February 5
(RECAP: A member of the Falls Church Economic Development Authority challenged the wisdom of the proposed affordable housing project, “The Wilden,” Tuesday night, indicating that the City could gain over $1 million a year with a different approach.)Should Congress Halt the Presses?
Washington Examiner, February 5
(RECAP: Local GSEs, Fannie Mae in northwest Washington, D.C. and Freddie Mac in Tyson's Corner, Virginia will have diminished roles in buying mortgages until they put their books in order. At least that is the word from the Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director on Tuesday.)Expert: Housing in for a Shaky '10
Charlottesville Daily Progress, February 4
(RECAP: Home sales in the region are stabilizing indicating that the worst of the area's housing recession could be over, said Barry Merchant, senior policy analyst with the Virginia Housing Development Authority. But a sluggish economic recovery, potential job losses and upcoming changes in the federal government's mortgage policies could hurt the market, Merchant said.)City Adopts Goal of Increasing “Supported” Affordable Housing Units
Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 4
(RECAP: City Council has set an ambitious and potentially costly goal of having 15% of Charlottesville 's housing stock classified as “affordable housing” by 2025. However, Council opted to defer a discussion of how much the City could afford to spend to reach the goal until the upcoming budget discussion.)Got Your Tax Refund? Pay Yourself First with VIDA
The Martinsville Chronicle, February 4
(RECAP: Many say it sounds too good to be true. However the Virginia Individual Development Account (VIDA) program has helped more than 128 low-income working Virginian's triple their savings, and use that money toward becoming a homeowner, continuing their education, or starting a new business.)Barney Frank: Friend or Foe to Fannie and Freddie?
Fox Business, February 3
(RECAP: When U.S. Rep. Barney Frank announced last month his interest in possibly abolishing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it was a stunning reversal of his years-long support of the two mortgage associations.)Housing Discrimination Still Legal in VA?
Public News Service, February 3
(RECAP: Housing discrimination holdovers from the 1960s remain on the books in Virginia , and there's legislation in the works to change that.)Foreclosures in the Lynchburg Virginia Area Increased 42 Percent in 2009 During the Same Period a Year Ago
Stop Foreclosure Homeowner Resources, February 2
(RECAP: From May through October this year, nearly 190 homes in the Lynchburg area were taken to foreclosure auctions, courthouse property records show. That was a 42 percent increase over foreclosures that happened from May through October in 2008.)Rising FHA Default Rate Foreshadows a Crush of Foreclosures
The Washington Post, February 2
(RECAP: The share of borrowers who are falling seriously behind on loans backed by the Federal Housing Admin istration jumped by more than a third in the past year, foreshadowing a crush of foreclosures that could further buffet an agency vital to the housing market's recovery.)News Clips Archives
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