Yearly Archives: 2015

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is accepting grant applications for beach erosion control projects and beach restoration projects. The deadline to submit applications for the fiscal year 2017/18 state budget is Monday February 1, 2016.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement regarding the nearly $9 million award from the California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program Fall 2015 Funding Round funded by the State’s cap-and-trade auction proceeds for two affordable housing projects in San Francisco – approximately $2.3 million for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation Eddy and Taylor Family Housing project, which will develop 103 affordable housing units, and $6.5 million for the Mercy Housing 222 Beale Street project at Transbay Block 7 that will provide 120 affordable residential units

California pending home sales retreated in November primarily due to seasonal factors and delayed escrow closings caused by new loan disclosure rules, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today

A Seal Beach man who operated a bogus mortgage rescue scheme – in which he made false promises to dozens distressed homeowners, filed fraudulent bankruptcies to delay foreclosure and rented the properties to third parties as the foreclosure proceedings were delayed – was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison.

In a move that further revolutionizes its online real estate selling experience, Auction.com, LLC, the nation’s leading online real estate marketplace, today announces the launch of its Commercial Real Estate Seller Dashboard, a new tool created specifically to provide added intelligence and simplify the user experience for Auction.com customers.

The California Strategic Growth Council today unanimously approved $32.4 million in competitive grants and loans to eight housing and transit-friendly infrastructure projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

With just days to go before 2015 ends, Congress and Governor Brown have taken concrete steps to ensure that California continues to lead the country on solar power. Critical federal tax credits for solar and wind energy have been extended, and California regulators have proposed extending the state’s keystone solar net energy metering program, making it easier for Californians to go solar and to ensure that the state meets its clean energy goals

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced a bill to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance critical seismic safety and construction projects at VA facilities in San Francisco, Long Beach, Alameda Point, Fremont, French Camp and Los Angeles.

Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City) voted for the year-end omnibus bill to fund the government through the 2016 fiscal year. The $1.1 trillion spending bill provides critical money for education, environmental policy, medical research and transportation safety while avoiding destructive riders on California water policy and women’s health.

Silicon Valley's real estate community congratulated the Chinese American Real Estate Association (CAREA)'s 2015/2016 leadership team at its December 4 installation dinner held at Dynasty Seafood Restaurant in Cupertino. SILVAR President-elect Karen Trolan installed 2015/2016 CAREA President Coco Tan and CAREA's 2015/2016 officers and board of directors

The University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy has launched a new Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Development degree, offering students the most comprehensive undergraduate real estate curriculum in the country

HUD Secretary Julián Castro and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will award the Housing Authority of the City of Sacramento $2,700,000 in grant funding for the Jobs Plus Pilot program as part of a $100 million investment in locally-based programs aimed to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for residents of public housing through work readiness programs, employer linkages, job placement, and financial literacy. The City of Sacramento Housing Authority was one of only eight recipients nationwide.

Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced the roll-out of a revamped solar energy program, which will enable thousands of Angelenos to produce and utilize solar power with greater speed and efficiency

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) – a state committee formed by the legislature to advance local community revitalization efforts – has awarded $15 million in new grants for affordable housing projects in L.A. The City has received $30 million total this year from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program.

"The more you tax something, the less of it you get. That's why lowering taxes on economic productivity and Americans' take-home pay is so critical. California's businesses and families should be able to keep more of what they earn, it's as simple as that," said Rep. Royce. "Today's legislation makes certain temporary tax breaks permanent, encourages more investments in research and development, and lays the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform.”

U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and leading proponent of housing finance reform, released the following statement on today's release of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) 2016 Scorecard

California existing home sales fell in November from both the previous month and year for the first time in nearly a year as low housing affordability extended into Southern California, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today

As Congressional leaders agreed on an omnibus budget deal without riders to block EPA’s landmark Clean Water Rule, Environment America’s senior attorney John Rumpler issued the following statement

Since my first day in office, reforming the DWP to increase efficiency and maintain reliability has been a top priority. To do this we need to have an honest conversation about the work that lies ahead, but we must do this in the face of an aging infrastructure and a historic drought that demands swift action

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement after meeting with United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Executive Director Matthew Doherty during the West Coast Mayors Summit in Portland, Oregon