Pandemic

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.4 Monthly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from phase 3.4 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS). Phase 3.4 includes a new question on receipt/intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster; modifications to questions relating to children’s vaccinations that expand response options to include children’s age categories; modified reference periods for school enrollment and spending questions;…

CFPB: Report Released on Mortgage Servicing Metrics

Hundreds of thousands of borrowers are still behind on loans after COVID-19 mortgage protections, forbearance end Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a report examining mortgage servicers’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The data, collected across 16 large servicers from May through December 2021, reveal homeowners continue to face significant risks and challenges…

EDA: Over $49 Million in American Rescue Plan and CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested

In the last week, the following grants were made under the American Rescue Plan Funds program or the CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program: May 10, 2022 – U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Business and Job Growth in Texas May 10, 2022 – U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5…

Joint Statement on Continued Efforts to Connect Homeowners to Pandemic Relief Issued

The Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge, Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Treasury Janet L. Yellen are calling on servicers of federally backed mortgages to make every effort to ensure no individual or family unduly experiences unnecessary hardship or foreclosure while assistance is available under the Homeowner Assistance Fund. The…

EDA: $3 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Expand High-Speed Internet in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Merit Network, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, to support construction of a 70-mile, middle-mile fiber optic infrastructure, which will expand access to high-speed internet in the region. The project…

EDA: Over $52.4 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds Invested to Support Economic Development and Put People Back to Work

These projects were made possible by regional planning efforts led by the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments (SCACOG). EDA funds SCACOG to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs. This project is funded under EDA’s American…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 8 Weekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from Phase 8 of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS), which measures the effect of changing business conditions during the coronavirus pandemic and other major events such as hurricanes on our nation’s small businesses. The SBPS complements existing Census Bureau data by providing detailed, near real-time information on the…

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.4 Monthly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from phase 3.4 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS). Phase 3.4 includes a new question on receipt/intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster; modifications to questions relating to children’s vaccinations that expand response options to include children’s age categories; modified reference periods for school enrollment and spending questions;…

EDA: $1.8 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Increase High-Speed Internet Connectivity in Grant County, OR

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the city of John Day, Oregon, to increase internet connectivity in Grant County. This project will support community broadband enhancements in the cities of John Day and Canyon…

HUD: FHA Adds 40-Year Mortage Modification with Partial Claim to Home Retention Options for Struggling Borrowers

Addition to loss mitigation home retention options allows servicers to assist additional FHA forward mortgage borrowers who are behind on mortgage payments due to COVID-19. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced on Monday that it is adding a new, 40-year mortgage modification option for mortgage servicers to use in conjunction with its partial claim option to assist…