Housing

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…

HUD: Trump Administration Proposes 2019 HUD Budget

Spending plan will preserve or increase support for homeless, seniors, disabled, and healthy housing WASHINGTON – The Trump Administration today announced the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a $41.24 billion spending plan that continues or expands support for vulnerable populations including those experiencing homelessness, the…

FHFA: 2018-2020 Housing Goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Finalized

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today published a final rule that establishes new housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) for 2018 through 2020 in accordance with the provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  The new goals replace the previous goals, which were in effect through the…

HUD: $243 Million in Grants Awarded to Help U.S. Virgin Islands Recover from Hurricanes

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $242.7 million to help the U.S. Virgin Islands to recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. HUD’s Deputy Secretary Pamela Hughes Patenaude announced the disaster recovery grants with Governor Kenneth E. Mapp during a tour of damaged homes in St. Thomas. These recovery funds awarded…

FEMA: More Than $1 Billion in Grants Awarded to Survivors in Puerto Rico

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – As Puerto Rico progresses from response to recovery, FEMA and the government of Puerto Rico continue to support the needs of survivors; so far FEMA has approved more than $1 billion in grants to Hurricanes Irma and María survivors. More than 3,000 federal employees, including 1,500 local hires, are supporting the…