January 2009 Bulletins
HUD ANNOUNCES $63,000 SETTLEMENT IN HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CASE
Released 1/26/09 by HUD
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it has obtained a $63,000 settlement in a housing discrimination case involving a white family who was forced to move from their Tallassee, Alabama home after a visit from their African American neighbors. Brought under the Fair Housing Act, HUD alleged that the family's landlord told the tenants that they had to leave if they intended to have African-American visitors. Full release
Obama Orders Gitmo Closed Within Year
Released 1/22/09 by Military.Com
President Barack Obama's administration struggled with the legacy of Guantanamo in its first full day in office Wednesday, freezing court cases from the prison camps to Washington while circulating a presidential order to empty the controversial camps within a year. Full release
First Lady's Message to Families
Released 1/20/09 by Military.Com
I particularly cherished my visits with military families all across the country. I met so many strong and inspiring military spouses eager to share their stories, their dreams for the future and the unique challenges they face because of their families' selfless service to our country. Full release
Obama to Face Major Troop Decisions
Released 1/17/09 by Military.Com
Lingering decisions on how quickly the Pentagon can get U.S. forces out of Iraq and into Afghanistan are being pushed off until after the Obama administration takes over as military commanders continue to wrangle over where the troops are needed most. Will he continue President Bush's emphasis on spreading freedom and democracy? Full release
HUD KICKS OFF SIX-CITY FINANCIAL LITERACY CAMPAIGN TO HELP TROUBLED HOMEOWNERS AVOID FORECLOSURE AND RESCUE SCAMS
Released 1/14/09 by HUD
NEW YORK - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced HUD's latest effort to prevent foreclosure by launching an aggressive consumer education campaign in six cities. HUD's "Keep Your Home. Know Your Loan." campaign will kick off in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Phoenix. Preston launched the public awareness initiative at Neighborhood Housing Services, a New York City agency that offers clients free mortgage delinquency and default resolution counseling. Full release
BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $650 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Released 1/13/09 by HUD
WASHINGTON - Thousands of very low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be able to find affordable housing thanks to more than $650 million in grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will provide non-profit developers interest-free capital advances to produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and provide supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities through HUD's Section 202 and Section 811 grant programs. Full release
HUD RETURNS MIAMI-DADE HOUSING AGENCY TO LOCAL CONTROL - CITES IMPROVED MANAGEMENT AND COUNTY COOPERATION
Released 1/8/09 by HUD
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today returned control of the Miami-Dade Housing Agency (MDHA) to the Miami-Dade County after 15 months in HUD possession. HUD cited accomplishments by the HUD oversight team and the County to complete critical tasks to improve the performance of MDHA. Full release
HUD CHARGES MISSISSIPPI HOUSING AUTHORITY, PROPERTY MANAGERS, AND APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH VIOLATING FAIR HOUSING ACT
Released 1/7/09 by HUD
WASHINGTON - The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority, No. VIII (MRHA), of Gulfport, Sun Belt Management Company, Inc., and Oakridge Park Apartments, Ltd., in Biloxi, with denying a disabled resident an available first-floor apartment, in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. Full release
HUD SECRETARY RETURNS TO BREAK GROUND AT C.J. PEETE TO BRING NEW HOUSING, MIXED-INCOME COMMUNITY
Released 1/7/09 by HUD
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston returned to New Orleans today for a second time in less than 30 days to break ground at another public housing site that was slated for redevelopment prior to Hurricane Katrina. He joined Mayor Ray Nagin at the former C.J. Peete public housing site to make way for a new mixed-income community. Just last month Preston joined Nagin, other local officials and development partners to celebrate the start of construction of Columbia Citi Residences at Bayou District, formerly St. Bernard. Full release
Bush Wants Lasting Mideast Cease-Fire
Released 1/3/09 by Military.Com
President George W. Bush says any cease-fire in the Mideast must be fully respected. Bush called the Hamas attacks an "act of terror" and said no peace deal would be acceptable unless the flow of smuggled weapons to terrorist groups is monitored and stopped. Full release
HUD AWARDS $49 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES GET JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
Released 1/2/09 by HUD
WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced that public housing agencies in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico will receive nearly $49 million to provide low-income people with the necessary job training to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency. Full release
US Girds for an Afghan Surge
Released 1/2/09 by Military.Com
Afghanistan's southern rim, the Taliban's spiritual birthplace and the country's most violent region, has for the last two years been the domain of British, Canadian and Dutch soldiers. But that's about to change as the U.S. prepares to pour at least 20,000 extra troops into the south, augmenting 12,500 NATO soldiers there.
Full release
