Yearly Archives: 2013

Washington, D.C. - November 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, has joined a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress in introducing the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370), a bill to terminate rate increases under the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 until two years after the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) completes the rate affordability study originally mandated under the law

Philadelphia, PA - October 31, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has launched an online job bank designed to connect public and assisted housing residents with job and training opportunities as part of Housing America Month

Harrisburg - October 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, State Treasurer Rob McCord today highlighted more than $84,000 in unclaimed property the state is working to reunite with organizations and institutions that treat, research and work to find a cure for cancer.

Harrisburg - October 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- National Fire Prevention Month is a chance for families to review their preparedness for a fire emergency, but as Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord noted today, it is also a chance to support emergency responder organizations by highlighting an often overlooked source of revenue – Pennsylvania’s unclaimed property program

Philadelphia, PA - October 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) continues to receive recognition as a stand out development leader among U.S. Housing Authorities. The most recent received award recognition from several industry organizations showcases four PHA developments.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- South Greengate Commons, the first construction project by the Westmoreland County Housing Authority in about three decades, has its first tenants.

Harrisburg - October 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As a record number of households struggle with student loans, State Treasurer Rob McCord said many grandparents are playing a more active role in helping their grandchildren afford college. A Pennsylvania 529 account, he said, offers great tax advantages and estate planning benefits

Philadelphia, PA - October 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority and Cheyney University have inked a three-year agreement that features 12 special initiatives to enhance educational opportunities for public housing residents and agency employees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly a million federal workers, including most employees of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, remain furloughed this week as a partial government shutdown continues.

Philadelphia, PA - October 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is one of 17 affordable housing organizations across the country to achieve full Green Organizational Accreditation through a pilot program from the Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The accreditation recognizes HUD-assisted organizations that are institutionalizing energy-efficient, green building practices in their day-to-day operations, as well as long-term rehabilitation and redevelopment of their affordable housing portfolios

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As you likely know, the House and Senate failed to agree on a “Continuing Resolution” (CR) to provide short-term funding for fiscal year 2014, which began October 1, and Congress hasn’t enacted any FY14 appropriations bills. Without 2014 funds to use to pay for agency operations, a large share of federal employees have been furloughed, including 96 percent of HUD staff. At this point, it is unclear how long the partial shutdown will continue. There is no clear “end game” in sight, though many observers believe that the October 17th deadline to raise the debt ceiling or risk default on federal payment obligations may lead Congress and the President to resolve the shutdown, as well, around that time if a CR is not enacted before then

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- With open enrollment starting for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid eligibility changes going into effect, October 1st is a big day for the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). [DPW wants] to take this opportunity to give you an update on the ACA in case you have questions about what happens on October 1st

HARRISBURG - October 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing this consumer advisory about predatory websites offering financial services that claim to be PHFA loans or that give the impression that PHFA endorses their product.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Weeks ago appointments were made by the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania for a statewide collective of advocates and private citizens to meet with the state’s elected federal representatives. More than 50 concerned agency representatives converged on Harrisburg to advocate for their clients. Because the federal government has shut down, non-essential staff persons have been sent home and federal law makes it illegal for them to voluntarily keep this commitment. Those advocates hoping to speak with representatives of Senators Casey and Toomey will go home without being heard

HARRISBURG - September 30, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, in collaboration with the American Society of Certified Housing Executives (ASCHE) and the National Real Estate Training Institute (NREI), today announces a day-long event for Westmoreland County residents in danger of losing their home or struggling with their mortgage. This special event will be held Oct. 10 at the Ramada Greensburg Hotel and Conference Center, 100 Ramada Inn Drive, Greensburg, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

Harrisburg - September 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Since taking office in January 2009, State Treasurer Rob McCord and his Return Team have reunited Pennsylvania’s 14 State System of Higher Education universities with more than $91,000. Today, the Treasurer highlighted a remaining $262,000 in unclaimed property that is up for claim by colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Housing Assistance Council invites you to join us in signing on to the letter below, urging President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to request reasonable funding levels for USDA's rural housing programs in the Administration's 2015 budget.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Campaign for What Works says "It's Time" to send legislation changing the name of the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Human Services to Governor Corbett for his signature

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Veterans Leadership Program has received $3 million in funding for housing, employment and other assistance for Veterans and their families residing in southwestern Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- There were nearly 6.7 million more poor people in 2012 than in 2008, a year deep in the Great Recession. Three years into the Great Unshared Recovery, poverty is worse than in 2008, median income is down, and people are slipping out of the middle class. More than one-third of our nation is near poor—106 million people live below twice the poverty line, one lay-off or crisis away from poverty