FEMA: Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Fact Sheet
The Direct Housing mission for Hurricane Harvey survivors is being administered by the State and implemented by local jurisdictions. With the federal government’s financial support, Texas is leading the way with housing solutions to help impacted communities recover. Assistance may be available to applicants who live in a county designated for Direct Housing with a…
HUD and Census Bureau: Residential Construction Activity in November 2017
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 November 2017. Building Permits: Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,298,000. This is 1.4 percent (±1.7 percent)* below the revised…
FEMA: New Online Tool Allows California Residents to Track Fire Debris Removal
Residents who lost their homes in the October wildfires will have a new tool to track the progress of debris removal in their communities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), with the support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has launched a website designed to give…
FEMA: More Than $1 Billion in Assistance Approved for Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Federal assistance to survivors, municipality governments and Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria now tops $1 billion less than three months after Maria’s landfall. More than a million Puerto Rican residents registered for FEMA assistance. FEMA has provided funds to more than 366,000 families in Puerto…
FEMA: Progress Update on Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands
After Hurricane Irma devastated much of St. Thomas and St. John three months ago, St. Croix became a base of operations for first responders, who began life-saving and life-sustaining missions to support survivors. But within two weeks, fierce winds and torrential rains from Hurricane Maria struck St. Croix, devastating even more infrastructure and services. Hurricane…
FEMA: Applicants May Appeal an Initial FEMA Determination Letter
If you registered with FEMA following Hurricane Irma and received a determination letter regarding your eligibility for assistance, read the letter carefully. It might not be the final answer. You may just need to submit extra documents for FEMA to process your application. Examples of missing documentation may include an insurance settlement letter, proof of…
Census Bureau: Communting Times, Median Rents and Language other than English Use
New American Community Survey Statistics Provide Local Data for Every Community Nationwide DEC. 7, 2017 — The nation experienced an increase in commuting time, median gross rent and a rise in English proficiency among those who spoke another language. These are only a few of the statistics released today from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012-2016…
HUD: New FHA Loan Limits for 2018 Announced
Loan limits to increase in more than 3,000 counties The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the agency’s new schedule of loan limits for 2018, with most areas in the country to experience an increase in loan limits in the coming year. These loan limits are effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after…
HUD: FHA to Halt Insuring Mortgage with PACE Assessments
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced it is reversing a short-lived policy announced in July of 2016 and will no longer insure new mortgages on properties that include Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) assessments. Read FHA’s mortgagee letter. FHA’s decision is part of a larger effort to protect the health of its Single Family…
HUD: Secretary Carson Launches EnVision Center Initiative
Today, Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the launch of EnVision Centers, a new initiative designed to help HUD-assisted households achieve self-sufficiency. Located on or near public housing developments, EnVision Centers will be centralized hubs that serve as an incubator for the four key pillars of self-…