November 2007 Bulletins

BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S FHASECURE PLAN HELPING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES KEEP THEIR HOMES

Released 11/30/07 by HUD

WASHINGTON – In response to the Bush Administration’s plan to help families avoid foreclosure, tens of thousands of homeowners are refinancing their exotic subprime loans with HUD’s new government-backed mortgage product. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced that more than 33,000 borrowers have already refinanced their subprime home loans with FHASecure, a government-insured foreclosure avoidance initiative created in September. An additional 20,000 are in the pipeline for approval this month, bringing the total to more than 53,000 in a four month period. Full release

HUD CHARGES ALABAMA LANDLORD WITH VIOLATING FAIR HOUSING ACT

Released 11/29/07 by HUD

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged Neysa C. Crim of Decatur, Alabama, with violating the federal Fair Housing Act for refusing to rent her home to an African-American man, making unlawful and discriminatory statements and falsely representing that a house was unavailable to rent. Full release

HUD TO TAKE OVER RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR NEARLY 30,000 RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY 2005 HURRICANES

Released 11/19/07 by HUD

WASHINGTON – Nearly 30,000 residents affected by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes will continue to receive housing assistance when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assumes control of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) rental program on December 1, 2007. HUD continues to work with its local public housing agencies (PHA) to reach out to those families who are eligible for this critical housing program to ensure their rent payments continue, and to offer them services to help them get back on the road to self-sufficiency. Full release

HUD AND STATE OF FLORIDA SETTLE CASE AGAINST FIRST AMERICAN TITLE CO. IN ALLEGED KICKBACK SCHEME

Released 11/16/07 by HUD

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and two Florida regulators today announced a legal settlement with First American Title Insurance Company for alleged violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and similar state laws. HUD, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) claim First American made payments to scores of affiliated partnerships based on the referral of business to the title company. Full release

Edwards Has Plan for Vets with PTSD

Released 11/13/07 by Military.Com

Presidential contender John Edwards announced a $400 million plan Nov. 12 to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. One provision of the plan would permit veterans to seek counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder outside the Veterans Health Administration system. Full release

Pentagon Begins to Roll Back Surge

Released 11/13/07 by Military.Com

The first big test of security gains linked to the U.S. troop buildup in Iraq is at hand. The military has started to reverse the 30,000-strong troop increase and commanders are hoping the drop in insurgent and sectarian violence in recent months won't prove fleeting. Full release

HUD REPORTS DROP IN NUMBER OF CHRONICALLY HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING ON NATION'S STREETS

Released 11/7/07 by HUD

WASHINGTON – For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is reporting a nearly 12 percent decrease in the number of chronically homeless persons living on the nation’s streets. HUD’s analysis found that more than 20,000 persons moved from the streets into transitional and permanent supportive housing between 2005 and 2006. Full release

Dems Tie Divisive Bill to VA Spending

Released 11/7/07 by Military.Com

Congressional Democrats stumbled ahead Nov. 6 with a plan lumping the popular budget for veterans programs with a health and education bill opposed by President Bush. White House officials restated the administrations promise to veto the education bill, Full release

DoD Looks to Ease Recruitment Standards

Released 11/7/07 by Military.Com

Faced with higher recruiting goals, the Pentagon is quietly looking for ways to make it easier for people with minor criminal records to join the military, The Associated Press has learned. Full release

HUD CREATES BLUEPRINT FOR PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Released 11/6/07 by HUD

WASHINGTON – Historic preservationists and affordable housing advocates are often at odds when it comes to developing strategies to preserve older housing while providing affordable housing opportunities for working families. In fact, there is a prevailing myth that the cost of historic preservation actually prices many working families out of many urban neighborhoods. Full release