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San Francisco, CA - December 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) --Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded San Francisco $18.9 million in HUD’s Continuum of Care grants to fund a wide variety of programs from street outreach programs and support services programs to transitional and permanent housing for individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. The HUD Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. This year, 51 San Francisco-based organizations and programs received grant awards.

Torrance, CA - December 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) at California State University-Northridge has won several recent design awards for architectural excellence. Designed by HGA Architects and Engineers, the Performing Arts Center received an AIA Minnesota Honor Award, an AIA Los Angeles Merit Award, an ENR California /McGraw-Hill Construction Award of Merit, and a Design Award in the Institutional Category by the Southern California Development Forum.

COLTON, CA - December 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Hodgdon Group, a full-service real estate brokerage, development and construction firm, announced today that it has completed construction on the conversion of the former Levitz building at Northridge Fashion Center in Northridge, Calif., for the opening of an Ashley Furniture HomeStore. Hodgdon-Miank Construction served as the full-service design-build contractor and completed the major renovation of the 34,000-square-foot freestanding Ashley Furniture HomeStore. This is the 12th Ashley HomeStore to open, which has been completed by the Hodgdon Group.

Inland Empire, CA - December 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, announces today that Kristie Rose, PCAM, CCAM, Merit’s Inland Empire Business Unit Leader, was honored with the industry coveted Manager of the Year Award from the Community Associations Institute (CAI). More than 250 attended the award ceremony which took place at the Riverside Convention Center on December 8, 2011.

December 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The California Building Industry Association (CBIA) released the following statement today on the recent Field Poll conducted on behalf of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) which asked Californians their opinions on the proposed state water bond and its importance to the state’s prosperity and economy

Orange County, CA - December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The South Coast Villas Homeowners Association has selected Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, to manage 304 condominium units in Santa Ana, CA. Merit is assisting the community with all its HOA property management needs.

Inland Empire, CA - December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, announces today the hiring of Kristie Rose, PCAM, CCAM, as Business Unit Leader for the Inland Empire region. Rose is now responsible for the supervision of Merit’s current association community management clients and will also coordinate and manage new contracts, maintain client relations and spearhead Merit’s continued growth throughout the Inland Empire region. She will also supervise account executive staff and association onsite teams.

Washington, DC - December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- At today’s House Financial Services Committee hearing to evaluate the financial health of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and one of the few members to oppose every bailout, pressed Secretary Donovan on the need to prevent a taxpayer bailout of the FHA.

Washington, DC - December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- This morning, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on the health of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Insurance Fund. Prior to this morning’s hearing, Congressman Gary Miller met with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and FHA Commissioner Carol J. Galante to discuss the impact of California’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project on Chino Hills’ homeowners. Following their discussion, Congressman Miller issued this statement:

Petaluma, CA - December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc., The Proven Leader in Smart Water Management announced today its customer PEP Housing has reduced outdoor water consumption by 40 percent with WeatherTRAK Smart Irrigation controllers at 12 senior housing communities in Sonoma County. The 58-unit Casa Grande Senior Apartments in Petaluma, California recently received a Met Life Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing, recognizing best practices in green, service-enriched housing for low-income seniors. The Casa Grande property is also the county's first Green Point rated multi-family project.

SAN JOSE, CA - November 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Monday, November 28, 2011, San Jose celebrated the grand opening of Brookwood Terrace Family Apartments, a development by ROEM Corporation and Eden Housing, Inc., in collaboration with the City of San Jose. The grand opening celebration was held at 1346 East San Antonio Street in San Jose, Calif.

Los Angeles, CA - November 22, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home affordability is higher now than in the past. Potential homebuyers are encouraged to purchase their home during this holiday season. Reports indicate lower home prices and record low interested rates in the third quarter of 2011 for the state of California. The down side is that during the last two years, families in Los Angeles County lost their home to foreclosure every 15 to 18 minutes. Southern California residents can take the first step in the home buying process or saving the home they already own from foreclosure, by attending a FREE Homeownership Fair on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

LOS ANGELES, CA - November 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Congress late yesterday passed a “minibus” appropriations measure that will continue to fund the government and includes a provision to reinstate the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limit in high-cost areas for two years. President Obama signed the measure into law today.

SACRAMENTO, CA - November 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Californians were able to afford a higher percentage of homes sold in the third quarter of 2011 as housing affordability increased in 22 of the state’s 28 metropolitan areas included in the report, the California Building Industry Association announced today.

SACRAMENTO, CA - November 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to a new study released today, the use of residential nexus analysis (RNA) in determining inclusionary housing percentage requirements and in-lieu fees for both residential and commercial development is unreliable and often produces highly inflated affordable housing requirements and in-lieu fees, the California Homebuilding Foundation announced today.

Washington DC - November 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week Congress is expected to pass legislation championed by Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) to extend higher housing loan limits as part of a bill that will fund several agencies through 2012 and the rest of the government on a temporary basis. The bill, known as the “minibus conference report,” includes a provision to extend higher Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits for 2 years in high cost areas of the country.

Torrance, CA - November 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Karen Compton, principal of A3K Consulting has named Eric Halm research and development leader for the firm. Additionally, Mr. Halm will serve as an integral part of the leadership team. The California-based business and strategic planning firm that specializes in the architecture, engineering and construction industries continues to provide advice and counsel strategic solutions to a diverse base of public, private and nonprofit clients, seeking to aggressively pursue their business strategies in a challenging environment

Inland Empire, CA - November 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Cypress Pointe Homeowners Association has selected Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, to manage 348 single-family homes in Victorville, CA. At build out the community is expected to consist of 441 homes. Merit will assist the community with all its HOA property management needs.

LOS ANGELES, CA - November 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lower home prices and record-low interest rates in the third quarter of 2011 contributed to an improvement in housing affordability for California home buyers, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today.

East Bay, CA - November 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, announced today that Rick Barnard, CCAM, has been promoted to Business Unit Leader for the East Bay region. As Merit’s East Bay Business Unit Leader, Rick Barnard oversees 20 homeowners and commercial associations throughout the region.