Homeowners

(Phoenix, Ariz. – August 4, 2009) Responding to a report issued today on the results of the federal “Making Home Affordable” loan modification program, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard again called upon mortgage loan servicers to ramp up their efforts to help homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

According to the report, Arizona lenders and servicers vary greatly in the results of their modification programs. Many of the lenders with the biggest Arizona market shares have only single-digit success rates in their modification programs.    » read more »

RALEIGH (July 8, 2009) -- Progress Energy has launched two new programs that offer customers information and incentives to encourage energy-efficiency improvements in existing homes. The Home Energy Improvement Program and Customized Home Energy Report provide customers tools -- including rebates and action plans -- to help them lower energy usage and save money.

Home Energy Improvement Program -- This program offers rebates for home improvements such as heating and cooling upgrades, duct testing and repair, energy-efficient window installation, attic insulation and air sealing. Customers can select from a list of prequalified contractors to perform the work.    » read more »

HUD Secretary announces eligibility for borrowers up to 125% underwater in Las Vegas with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Congresswoman Dina Titus

July 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced an expansion of the Obama Administration's Home Affordable Refinance Program to include participation by borrowers who are current but up to 125 percent underwater on their mortgage.

Under authorization provided by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, borrowers whose mortgages are currently owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will now be allowed to refinance those loans according to the terms of the Home Affordable Refinance program established earlier this year.    » read more »

Energy efficiency provisions will create 770,000 jobs by 2030

June 24, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.—The federal energy efficiency provisions included in H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (aka Waxman-Markey), could save approximately $1,050 per household by 2020 and $4,400 per household by 2030, according to an updated analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Changes to ACEEE’s analysis come from an updated assessment of savings from a number of provisions, as well as changes to the bill made in a Rule’s Committee version of the bill released yesterday.    » read more »

Will save billions for consumers, business while helping to create new jobs and strengthen American competitiveness

June 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Building on the action by the U.S. House of Representatives in passing historic legislation that will pave the way for the transition to a clean energy economy, President Barack Obama and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced aggressive actions to promote energy efficiency and save American consumers billions of dollars per year.

Today's announcement underscores how the clean energy revolution not only makes environmental sense, but it also makes economic sense - creating jobs and saving money.    » read more »

155,000 more modification requests in process or under review Has prevented 565,000 foreclosures since 2007

NEW YORK, June 30, 2009 -- Chase announced today that it has approved 138,000 trial mortgage modifications for struggling homeowners since April 6, when it began processing trial modifications through President Obama's Making Home Affordable program.

Since 2007, Chase has continued to expand its comprehensive plan to keep families in their homes, helping prevent 565,000 foreclosures - including the 138,000 trial modifications -- for Chase, WaMu and EMC customers. Another 155,000 applications are in the review process.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd, together with Congressman Nick J. Rahall, today announced that the Department of Energy is awarding $15,033,550 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the weatherization of more than 3,500 homes in West Virginia.

“Help with weatherization is so important for families across West Virginia,” said Rockefeller, a longtime supporter of home weatherization. “These improvements make homes more energy efficient, reduce utility costs, and create jobs along the way – new green jobs that we’ll need for the future. This is an unbeatable combination that strengthens homes, helps families save money, protects our environment, and bolsters our economy.”    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that Ohio’s plan for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program has been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. Approval of the plan authorizes the expenditure of 40 percent, or $106 million, of the state’s approximately $266 million in Home Weatherization Assistance Program funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

Announcement includes weatherization projects among the first among the first in the nation funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

SILVER SPRING, MD (June 18, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and other officials to formally announce Maryland’s first steps in expanding its home weatherization program, designed to benefit thousands of low-income families throughout the state. The Governor participated in a home energy efficiency audit at the home of Richard and Sonja Lowery in Silver Spring.    » read more »

Combined with federal tax credits, total incentives for first time buyers can be as high as $15,000

June 18, 2009 -- PORTLAND – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci announced today some good news for first-time homebuyers – and for Maine’s housing market. MaineHousing is starting a new “Gift of Green” homeownership initiative that provides eligible First Home program borrowers with up to $5,500 in financial incentives to purchase a home.    » read more »

Gov. Markell Announces Foreclosure Mitigation Initiative and Declares June ‘Homeownership Month’

June 17, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell today signed a proclamation officially declaring June as “Delaware Homeownership Month”. To help celebrate the First State’s ongoing commitment to homeownership, Governor Markell also announced the Foreclosure Mitigation Initiative – formed through a partnership among federal and state governments, local jurisdictions, legislators, financial institutions, housing counselors, and other for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The Initiative consists of three basic ideas:    » read more »

Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Implementation of California Foreclosure Prevention Act to Help Families at Risk of Losing Their Homes

06/15/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the implementation of the California Foreclosure Prevention Act, a law intended to promote affordable loan modifications for distressed California homeowners who might otherwise face foreclosure. The Act was proposed by the Governor and adopted by the legislature in the February budget package.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- A wildfire rages across southern California wildlands towards residential communities, endangering residents and firefighters and sending property up in smoke. This is an increasingly common story, occurring several times a summer.

To better understand these Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires and how best to prevent or fight them, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have issued an in-depth study on fire behavior and defensive actions taken in a community during a such a fire.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON— AARP Executive Vice President for Social Impact Nancy LeaMond commended the partnership announced today by HUD, DOT and EPA to apply a series of “livability principles” to federal transportation, environmental protection and housing spending.

AARP has long advocated for livable communities that have affordable and appropriate housing options, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options which together facilitate personal health independence and engagement in community life.

LeaMond said:    » read more »

Gov. Perry Signs Legislation Protecting Texas Property Owners; HJR 14 allows Texans to vote on constitutional amendment

June 15, 2009 -- SAN ANTONIO – Texas Governor Rick Perry today joined lawmakers in highlighting the importance of House Joint Resolution (HJR) 14 that allows Texans to vote on a constitutional amendment to strengthen land owners’ rights. The amendment, which will be voted on in November 2009, would achieve unprecedented protection of private property by placing protections against abuse of eminent domain directly into the Texas Constitution.    » read more »