Special Report: Wall Street in Crisis (knowledgeplex) – September 25, 2008
In this Special Report, knowledgeplex will provide ongoing coverage of the financial crisis and its effect on our economy and our communities.
Read the special report here.
National Low Income Housing Coalition Releases 2009 Out of Reach Report – April 14, 2009
Despite the emphasis on homeownership and the marginalization of renters, renter households still make up fully one-third of the households in the United States — more than 36 million households. Out of Reach is a side-by-side comparison of wages and rents in every county, Metropolitan Area (MSAs/HMFAs), combined nonmetropolitan area and state in the United States. For each jurisdiction, the report calculates the amount of money a household must earn in order to afford a rental unit at a range of sizes (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms) at the area’s Fair Market Rent (FMR), based on the generally accepted affordability standard of paying no more than 30% of income for housing costs.
Please click here to view NLIHC’s 2009 Out of Reach Report.
Please click here to view Massachusetts-specific data.
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 – September 29, 2008
A bill to provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system and protecting taxpayers, and for other purposes.
A summary of the bill can be viewed here.
Please click here to view the full text of the bill.
MA Senate Passes Expiring Use Bill Unanimously – July 21, 2009
Please click here for text of the Bill.
HUD Issues Final Rule on Changes to Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act – November 13, 2008
On November 12, 2008, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued long-anticipated mortgage reforms that will help consumers to shop for the lowest cost mortgage and avoid costly and potentially harmful loan
offers. HUD will require, for the first time ever, that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.
In announcing HUD’s final changes to the regulatory requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), HUD Secretary Steve Preston said that changes in the housing market and increases in home foreclosures demands action.
Please click here to read the full press release from HUD
MHIC and State Agencies Seek Comment on NSP2 Application – July 6, 2009
Please click here for more information on the joint application.