July 2009 Bulletins

Shelley Poticha appointed as HUD Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities

Released 7/24/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that Shelley Poticha has been appointed Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities. Full release

Maliki Says GIs May Stay Beyond 2011

Released 7/24/09 by Military.Com

Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has admitted U.S. troops could stay in the country beyond 2011. His comments mark a shift in his position and come less than a month after declaring a national holiday in Iraq to signify the pullout of U.S. troops from the country's towns and cities. Full release

HUD makes $26.3 million available to fight housing discrimination

Released 7/23/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that more than $26 million in grants are available to investigate allegations of housing discrimination and to educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. The grants are being offered through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), and are available through HUD's website. Full release

HUD awards $21.4 million in HIV/AIDS housing grants to 19 local programs

Released 7/22/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of extremely low-income families living with HIV/AIDS will receive support in maintaining a permanent affordable home as a result of $21.4 million in grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In each of the next three years, these grants are expected to help 1,159 households address the challenges of living with HIV by improving their ability to manage illnesses and consistently engage in appropriate care as a result of their on-going housing arrangements. Full release

Iraq Bars US Troops From Baghdad

Released 7/15/09 by Military.Com

Two weeks after U.S. combat troops withdrew from Iraq's major cities, amid sporadic outbreaks of violence countrywide, Iraqi authorities aren't asking American forces for help. In fact, the Iraqis also won't allow U.S. forces on the street in Baghdad, except for supply convoys. Full release

HUD announces $113 million available for public housing transformation, community revitalization

Released 7/14/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced the availability of $113 million in HOPE VI funding today in a keynote address on the future of urban revitalization at the National Press Club during the Brookings Institution's event, "From Despair to Hope: Two HUD Secretaries on Urban Revitalization and Opportunity." Donovan joined former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros in a comprehensive discussion about the HOPE VI revitalization program and the Obama Administration's proposed Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, which seeks to build on the lessons from HOPE VI and expand urban revitalization beyond public housing. Full release

HUD Secretary announces disaster assistance for Tennessee storm victims

Released 7/14/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to three storm-ravaged counties in Tennessee and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following last month's severe storms, flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds. Full release

Donovan announces $26.5 million available in "sweat equity" grants

Released 7/13/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that $26.5 million is available in "sweat equity" grants to produce homes for low-income individuals and families through HUD's Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP). Full release

FHA to begin insuring hospital refinance loans

Released 7/13/09 by HUD

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will now provide mortgage loan insurance for hospital refinancing. Prior to this, hospitals could only get FHA insurance on loans that included a substantial construction component such as replacing, rebuilding, or renovating existing structures. Full release

Texas Reservist Honored for Afghan Ambush

Released 7/10/09 by Military.Com

Army Spec. David Hutchinson spent only a week in Afghanistan. But that was more than enough to change his life and earn him a place among America's bravest with a Silver Star on his chest. He is credited with holding off an attack and killing at least five insurgents. Full release

More Troops' Kids Seeking Counseling

Released 7/8/09 by Military.Com

Children of U.S. military troops sought outpatient mental health care 2 million times last year, double the number at the start of the Iraq war, and there was also an alarming spike in the number of military kids actually hospitalized for mental health reasons, according to internal Pentagon documents. Full release

'The Enemy has Gone to Ground'

Released 7/6/09 by Military.Com

A scorching desert littered with bombs, little contact, an invisible enemy: the Marines who descended on Taliban bastions in southern Afghanistan will have to face guerrilla tactics proven against the Soviets, an analyst says. "Nawa is quiet, too quiet," says Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding officer of the operation. Full release