Archives

Glenside, PA - April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Incentives to produce more quality rental housing could help stem the current housing crisis and promote long-term economic stability, according to a new study released today by the Fels Institute of Government and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. Study author and Fels consultant John Kromer calls the lack of reasonable rental alternatives to homeownership a factor in the housing market collapse.

Harrisburg, PA - April 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — State Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) was among General Assembly members to stand in support Monday of legislation that would place options for property tax relief on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. If passed, voters would be able to select from several different property tax reduction or elimination bills.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The complete renovation and energy upgrading of 300 houses and apartments will be the first of several projects the Philadelphia Housing Authority will complete with the $90 million in stimulus funds approved this year by Congress and signed by the president.

Blue Bell, PA - April 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Responding to the “quiet crisis of desperation” among Pennsylvania families with disabled loved ones, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) has again introduced legislation to eliminate the waiting list for housing and community services and to establish a Bill of Rights.

Harrisburg, PA - April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Ed Rendell’s announcement on property tax reductions as a result of slot machine gambling revenues:

Harrisburg, PA - April 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Pennsylvania homeowners will receive nearly $770 million in property tax relief in 2009, delivering on Governor Rendell’s promise to help reduce the burden of property taxes.

Harrisburg, PA - April 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — While the governor on Monday touted the approximately $200 in average property tax relief that Pennsylvania homeowners...

PITTSBURGH, PA - April 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Pennsylvania homeowners will receive nearly $770 million in property tax relief in 2009 under the latest installment from the historic Taxpayer Relief Act, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - April 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-02), and the Federal Home Loan Banks of Pittsburgh and San Francisco (FHLBanks) today announced the awarding of $9.87 million in affordable housing grants for the construction and rehabilitation of 861 units of affordable housing at 18 project sites.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on April 9, 2009, announced that federal funding totaling $100...

HARRISBURG, PA - April 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection has launched an investigation into the business practices of American Escrow LLC, an Illinois-based escrow company that suddenly halted operations in March 2009.

Harrisburg, PA - April 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Reps. Kate Harper and Rick Taylor, both of Montgomery County, have introduced legislation to help protect owners of manufactured housing, or mobile homes, from unreasonable and unexpected ground rent fees.

Glenside, PA - April 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has introduced a new homeownership incentive program, the The Tax Credit Advance Loan (TCA). First-time homebuyers can get an interest-free loan of up to $6,000 to use towards their down payment and/or closing costs.

Washington, DC - March 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Legislation that would seek to encourage consumers to purchase new energy-efficient homes has been endorsed by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), author of the proposal.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) met with Patricia Coulter, President & CEO, and Michael Walker, Senior Advisor, of the Urban League of Philadelphia; Sonya Springer, President of the Urban League’s Young Professionals; and Mamie Fains, of the Urban League Guild. During the meeting the Congressman discussed their mutual concerns regarding financial literacy, housing assistance, and support for small businesses especially in these troubling economic times.

Bloomsburg, PA - March 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced a $590,000 grant for a new owner-occupied housing rehabilitation project in the LaSalle neighborhood of Berwick Borough.

Washington, D.C. - March 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced today that the U.S. Congress has approved federal funding for several Pennsylvania transportation and housing projects as contained in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill

Harrisburg, PA - March 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — It’s planning time for Homes within Reach 2009, and you’re invited to join our planning efforts! This year’s conference is scheduled for December 9-11, once again at the Hilton in Harrisburg.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — To avoid an estimated 8.1 million additional homeowners from defaulting on their mortgages over the next four years—with potentially 5 million homes lost through foreclosure or short sales—Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) today voted for H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which passed by a vote of 234 to 191.

Washington, D.C. - March 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Rep. David G. Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill) has introduced legislation in the state House that would give Pennsylvania voters a stronger voice in the ongoing debate about the best way to reform or replace the state’s outdated school property tax system