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VHC News Clips, volume 2009-42 (April 22, 2010)
Recession Continues to Push Rental Housing Further “Out of Reach” for Low Income Americans
Press Release, April 21
(RECAP: – According to a national report released today that provides data on the cost of rental housing, the Housing Wage for Virginia is $19.63. Virginia 's Housing Wage has increased 54% since 2000, the 10 th largest increase among the states.)Affordable Housing Awareness Week events
Richmond Times Dispatch, April 20
(RECAP: Affordable Housing Awareness Week continues today, after yesterday's kickoff symposium and bus tours of affordable-housing developments in the Richmond area. The events are free, but advanced registration is required. A total of 15 local nonprofit housing organizations have joined together to sponsor the events.)Developments in Housing
Richmond Times Dispatch, April 20
(RECAP: The Richmond region is beginning to embrace mixed-income, mixed-use developments as a way to provide safe and affordable housing. Proof of the economic benefits of well-built, high-density communities where people live, work and play was provided at yesterday's symposium at the University of Richmond to kick off Affordable Housing Awareness Week.)Fairfax County to Hold Public Hearing on Tysons Corner Development
The Washington Post, April 20
(RECAP: The proposed blueprint for redrawing Tysons Corner, which residents have criticized for allowing too much growth and developers dislike because of its affordable housing guidelines and development restrictions, will go through a major step in the Fairfax County approval process Wednesday.)Richmond , Petersburg Housing Authorities Receive $3 Million
Richmond Times Dispatch, April 19
(RECAP: Relief is on the way to housing authorities in Richmond and Petersburg for voucher programs that allow low-income families to pay for private housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding $3 million to 11 housing authorities in Virginia , including more than $1.8 million to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and more than $388,000 to the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority.)New Rules May Help Homeowners During a Short Sale
The Virginian-Pilot, April 18
(RECAP: The federal government in recent weeks launched a program aimed at speeding up short sales and making them simpler and more transparent by encouraging lenders to use agreed-upon guidelines for processing the sales.)Md. Foreclosures Soar as Virginia Stabilizes
Washington Examiner, April 18
(RECAP: In the latest battle between Virginia and Maryland , the southern state appears to be gaining. Virginia 's foreclosure crisis -- which was at fever pitch just a few years ago -- is easing, while Maryland 's foreclosure filings are skyrocketing.)Home Show Could be a Winner
Suffolk News-Herald, April 17
(RECAP: It's a testament to the state of the housing market that the Tidewater Builders Association has chosen this year to hold a second Homearama event and to schedule the event for springtime.)How Strategic Defaults Are Reshaping the Economy
Foreclosure Nightmare, April 16
(RECAP: The experts have long assumed that homeowners would never willingly endure the punishment for defaulting on a mortgage: wrecked credit and the inability to borrow in the future, which effectively means they may never own a home again. But the experts were wrong, and the unexpected shifts in the way consumers think could reshape the economy in ways that don't fit those fancy computer models.)Views at Clarendon Suit Dismissed
MSN Money, April 16
(RECAP: A lawsuit seeking to halt the construction of the Views at Clarendon in Arlington was dismissed on Monday, according to documents filed in the Alexandria Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The 10-story project at 1210 N. Highland St. , which will deliver 70 affordable apartments and 46 market-rate rental units, was originally approved by Arlington County in 2004 but opposed by neighbors who felt it was too tall for the area.)HUD and Treasury Seek Public Comments on the Future of GSEs
NLIHC's Memo to Members, April 16
(RECAP: On April 14, the Department of Treasury and HUD solicited public comment on the future of federal housing finance policy by asking for public input to a series of questions. The public can provide written responses to the questions published in the Federal Register online at www.regulations.gov . Comments will be due 60 days after the publication in the Federal Register. )HUD Secretary Testifies on FY11 Budget Proposals
NLIHC's Memo to Members, April 16
(RECAP: The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on April 15 on the legislative proposals within the FY11 HUD budget proposal, including Transforming Rental Assistance. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was the sole witness, speaking on HUD's efforts to strengthen and increase the efficiency of HUD's core programs.)NHTF Highlighted in Hill Hearings, at NLIHC Conference
NLIHC's Memo to Members, April 16
(RECAP: Funding for the NHTF was a topic of discussion in the Capitol in numerous venues during the week of April 11. NLIHC leads national effort to gather organizational endorsements on a letter urging immediate capitalization of the NHTF. HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs confirmed that the proposed program regulations for the NHTF should be published for comment by July.)NSP1 Grantee Performance Snapshot Reports Available
NLIHC's Memo to Members, April 16
(RECAP: In an ongoing effort to provide more information on how funds from the first Neighborhood Stabilization Program are being spent, HUD has added Snapshot Reports to its NSP HELP website. For each of the 309 NSP1 grantees, Snapshot Reports provide the amount of NSP awarded, the amount and percentage of funds committed and expended overall, and commitment and expenditure rates for the requirement that 25% of NSP1 funds benefit households with incomes below 50% of the area wide median income).“ Right to Rent” Legislation Introduced
NLIHC's Memo to Members, April 16
(RECAP: Representative Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced the “Right to Rent Act of 2010” on April 15. If enacted, the bill would allow homeowners in foreclosure to remain in their homes as renters. The bill was co-sponsored by Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).)Fairfax Homelessness Down 11 Percent
Springfield Connection, April 16
(RECAP: A late January survey shows that Fairfax County homelessness has decreased almost 11 percent from last year, according to a statement from county Chairman Sharon Bulova.)
Fairfax Plans to Devote Millions to Affordable Housing
The Washington Examiner, April 16
(RECAP: Fairfax County is poised to inject more than $17 million into affordable housing projects in coming years, according to those involved in closed-door budget talks this week.)Public Housing Board, Tenants Still at Odds
Alexandria Times, April 15
(RECAP: A group of public housing residents and their supporters crashed a work session between the City Council and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority last Thursday, demanding fair treatment when being relocated for development projects.)Richmond Home Repossessions Double from Year Ago
Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 15
(RECAP: Lenders have stepped up repossessions of houses in the Richmond metropolitan area, taking ownership of 334 houses in March, up from 154 in the same month a year ago, according to a report being released this morning by RealtyTrac, an online researcher of foreclosures.)Local Foreclosures Hit a Record High in March
The Virginian-Pilot, April 15
(RECAP: The number of foreclosures in Hampton Roads jumped to a record high in March as lenders continued to repossess and auction off homes despite national efforts to stem foreclosures, a report to be released today found.)Alexandria Vows to Improve Bland Relocation
The Washington Post, April 15
(RECAP: The next phase of the James Bland public housing relocation in Alexandria is going to be as chaotic as the first, say current and former residents, but city officials say it will be a much smoother transition.)In Defense of Housing
Bacon's Rebellion, April 14
(RECAP: In the current economic environment, it might seem unnecessary to discuss residential growth. But, the American economy will rebound, and when it does, leading the way will be the housing market. A robust supply of well-built, affordable housing is an important component of Virginia 's efforts to retain and enhance its attractiveness to economic investment, i.e. jobs.)US's Frank: Must Figure Out What Mix to Replace Fan, Fre Model
iMarketNews.com, April 14
(RECAP: Housing reform and the steps being taken to alleviate the foreclosure crisis were the focus of the House Financial Services Committee Tuesday and Wednesday, which heard testimony from both private sector bankers and government policymakers.)Foes of Arlington County Affordable Housing Project Lose Challenge
The Washington Post, April 14
(RECAP: A U.S. District Court judge threw out a First Amendment challenge to an affordable housing project above a church in Arlington County on Monday, ruling that it does not violate the constitutional separation of church and state.)92-unit Bailey House Up for Public Auction
Charlottesville News & Arts, April 13
(RECAP: In the county, the Bailey House at Avemore, a rental community for adults 55 and older, will be auctioned off during a foreclosure sale, on April 27 at 1:30pm, at the front entrance of the Albemarle County Circuit Court.)Lenders: Mortgage Forgiveness Costly, Unfair to Others
eCreditDaily.com, April 13
(RECAP: Principal forgiveness –a key part of the Obama Admin istration's new foreclosure prevention efforts – would prove to be very costly to the industry and taxpayers, and ultimately unfair to the vast majority of homeowners who stay current on their unreduced mortgages, top banking executives said today.)News Clips Archives
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