SBA: Office of the National Ombudsman Releases Annual Report on Small Business Issues
The Office of the National Ombudsman at the U.S. Small Business Administration recently released its annual report to the 115th Congress, rating federal agencies’ responsiveness to the regulatory enforcement issues small businesses faced during fiscal year 2016. Created by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act in 1996, the Office of the National Ombudsman works…
SBA: National SBIR Road Tour to Engage Innovative Entrepreneurs Announced
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today it will launch an 18-state road tour connecting entrepreneurs with next generation Research & Development ideas to the largest source of early stage funding led by the SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. “We are dedicated to supporting America’s entrepreneurs wherever they are….
FEMA: Progess. Partnerships. Preparedness. Six Months after Hurricane Harvey
Six months since Hurricane Harvey battered the Lone Star State, Texans in coastal towns, urban areas, and rural counties continue to move forward with their unprecedented recovery. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners are already repairing or rebuilding their hurricane damaged houses or have found new rental apartments or homes. Their recovery activity was fueled by…
HUD and Census Bureau: Residential Construction Activity Report January 2018
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly announced the following new residential construction statistics for January 2018. Building Permits: Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,396,000. This is 7.4 percent (±1.2 percent) above the revised…
CFPB: Thinking About Buying a House in 2018? Here’s What You Need to Know
Are you thinking about buying a house this year? We’ve got tools and resources that will help you get your financial house in order as you prepare to look for that perfect place to call home—and shop for a mortgage that’s right for you. Just as in 2017, the supply of homes for sale is…
FEMA: One Month Recovery Update for Southern California
It’s been one month since FEMA’s Individual Assistance program was approved for Southern Californians in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Here’s an update on recovery numbers as of close of business Feb. 14: 582 households eligible for FEMA individual assistance. FEMA has approved more than $3.4 million in individuals and households…
FEMA: How to Create Permanent Housing Plans
FEMA Guidance on Moving Back Home Florida Hurricane Irma survivors who return home achieve a recovery milestone. They can reach this goal by creating a realistic permanent housing plan. Survivors who receive temporary FEMA housing assistance—hotel stays, rental assistance, travel trailers and FEMA-paid apartments—must routinely show they still need help and look for long-term options….
FHFA: Refinance Volume Increases in Fourth Quarter 2017
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed more than 446,295 refinances in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 362,934 in the third quarter. FHFA’s fourth quarter Refinance Report also shows that 6,309 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), bringing the total number…
CFPB: Tax Refund Tips – Understanding Refund Advance Loans and Checks
At this time of year, many people are thinking about filing their tax returns and about if and when they will receive their refunds. When filed electronically (e-file), the IRS issues most tax refunds within 21 days. It can take about six weeks to receive a tax refund for a return filed by mail. Using…
CDFI Fund: $3.5 Billion in New Market Tax Credits Awarded to Spur Economic Growth Nationwide
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 73 Community Development Entities (CDEs) $3.5 billion in New Markets Tax Credits today. The tax credit allocation awards, made through the calendar year (CY) 2017 round of the New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program), will help stimulate investment and economic…