California RealEstateRama

WASHINGTON, DC - January 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the dramatic increase in homeless families caused by the current economic downturn affecting California and the nation, Congresswoman Laura Richardson is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing $6,152,772 to the City of Long Beach for preventing and decreasing homelessness.

January 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Long Beach residents are invited to a "Home Ownership and Credit" workshop on Wednesday, January 13, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Ave.

Washington, DC - December 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced a measure to spur the development of renewable energy employment and construction, such as wind and solar farms and solar panel factories. The bill would primarily extend and expand a popular Treasury Department grant program that was established in Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in order to help diminish the impact of the economic crisis on the renewable energy sector

Washington, D.C.- December 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Faith Schwartz, Executive Director, of the HOPE NOW Alliance, testified today before the State Assembly Select Committee on the Safety and Protection of At-Risk Communities in California. Schwartz testified that through October 2009, more than 279,000 California homeowners received mortgage workout solutions. This compared to about 139,000 foreclosure sales in the state this year shows that workout solutions outpace foreclosures in sales 2 to 1 in California

Fights to Keep American Families in Their Homes. WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives passed an amendment offered by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D–California) to the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173) yesterday, which requires mortgage servicers or lenders participating in the Making Home Affordable Program to publicly report their progress in helping responsible homeowners stay in their homes. The amendment was introduced by Congresswoman Matsui with Rep. Betty Sutton (D–Ohio) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D–Florida), and debated on the House floor. Passage of H.R. 4173 is expected today.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congress took significant action to reform the nation’s financial system today with the passage of The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed with Congressman Cardoza’s support, the bill also includes provisions he requested that take aim at the nation’s continuing foreclosure crisis.

Events in Ukiah and Lakeport Help Consumers Facing Housing Issues. Ukiah, CA - November 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco), working with the Mendocino/Lake Housing Foreclosure Prevention Coalition, hosted community housing workshops last weekend in Mendocino and Lake Counties

LOS ANGELES, CA - November 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced the appointment of Douglas Guthrie as the new General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). Mr. Guthrie brings with him a wealth of experience in community development, housing affordability and urban policy.

November 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bank today announced the results of the 2009 election for two nonmember independent director positions and two California member director positions on its Board of Directors.

Southern California Loan Officer, Real Estate Agent Linked to Scheme in Which Unqualified Buyers Obtained Mortgages for Luxury Homes. LOS ANGELES, CA - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The former director of sales for a Colorado real estate company that built luxury homes throughout the state agreed in court papers filed today to plead guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, admitting that he and other company officials participated in a $16 million “builder bailout” scheme in which buyers of $1 million-plus homes were paid kickbacks if they purchased homes from the company

LOS ANGELES, CA - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced two foreclosure counseling clinics in South Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley this Saturday, November 14, 2009. The free clinics are designed to educate the public about the foreclosure process, distribute information about foreclosure prevention, and present residents with options to modify loans and keep their homes.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that $344,621 has been awarded to the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services through a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to support outreach and primary care services for homeless populations in Sacramento. Thanks to this funding, the Mercy Clinic at Loaves and Fishes will continue to provide area homeless with outpatient primary and public health care services--as well as inpatient and other secondary and tertiary health care services--in cooperation with local doctors and hospitals. This competitive award will allow the clinic to continue operating through 2012.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week, the House voted on legislation to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, which is currently set to expire December 1, 2009. The bill also expands eligibility of the credit, raising the income eligibility cap on individuals to $125,000 and $225,000 for married couples, up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively, and homes sold for more than $800,000 are ineligible.

Washington, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending the homebuyer’s tax credit, unemployment benefits, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) today praised House passage of Unemployment Insurance Benefits for an additional 20 weeks for workers in California. The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, passed by a bipartisan 403 to 12 vote.

Washington, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Watson voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide.

WASHINGTON, Dc - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson acted to make the basic tenets of the American Dream possible for thousands of Californians by voting for the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (HR 3548), which will help the unemployed by extending unemployment benefits and will continue to stimulate the housing market by extending and expanding the first time homebuyer credit. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 403 to 12 and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

LOS ANGELES, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) today commended Congress and the Senate for its swift actions in extending and expanding the provisions of the Federal Tax Credit for First-time Home Buyers. The U.S. House of Representatives earlier today voted 403 to 12 for passage, as did the U.S. Senate late yesterday. The legislation now goes to President Obama for signature.

Washington, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses.

Los Angeles, CA - October 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Concerned about a "new wave" of foreclosures, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today called on ten major banks and loan servicers to detail their plans to assist homeowners facing dramatic monthly payment increases on Pay Option Adjustable Rate Mortgages.