JOHNSTOWN, PA - August 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $900,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority for local brownfield cleanup activities.

HARRISBURG, PA - August 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger today toured a significant commercial solar electricity project in Harrisburg built with assistance from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Tilden Township, PA - August 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Tilden Township, home of the largest and most successful Cabela’s Worlds Foremost Outfitter store in the nation, is about to become home to another large commercial project. Construction officially began today at the site of the Tilden Ridge Shopping Center – soon to become the home of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, Lowe’s Home Improvement Store and approximately 100,000 square feet of other complimentary retail stores.

Washington, D.C. - July 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved federal funding for several Pennsylvania housing projects. The projects are contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - July 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $95 million to jump start affordable housing programs in Pennsylvania that are currently stalled due to the current economic recession. Funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), HUD's new Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) will allow Pennsylvania to resume funding of affordable rental housing projects across the state while stimulating employment in the construction trades.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - July 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jonathan Sarubbi, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Philadelphia Office, announced today the awarding of more than $1.2 million in funding to acquire five homes in Temple Hills, Maryland. The five properties are located in areas of unstable soil.

HARRISBURG, PA - July 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that more than 1,100 Pennsylvania consumers have been sent notification that they are eligible for mortgage foreclosure relief as part of a settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation.

New stores opening immediately in Allentown, Philadelphia, Reading, Easton and Pottstown, PA. Philadelphia, PA - July 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Metro Commercial announced today that it has negotiated five new Target store locations in Pennsylvania totaling over 650,000 square feet. All five of the newly-constructed stores for the Minneapolis-based retailer are scheduled to open on July 26, 2009.

HARRISBURG, PA - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Several real estate projects in Erie County will receive new state investments to support job-creating economic development projects, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

HARRISBURG, PA - July 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Pennsylvania will triple its solar capacity with nearly $23 million in new grants and loans for companies throughout the state that are embracing the renewable energy industry.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will hold a Neighborhood Networks Regional Technical Assistance Workshop in Philadelphia on July 15 – 17. The event themed Neighborhood Networks: A Community Asset will feature Carol Galante, the new Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs at HUD who will speak during the opening ceremony.

July 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — On July 7th, residents, neighbors, elected officials and community developers will celebrate the grand re‐opening of Skyview Park Apartments (43 Crown Circle), an enduring source of affordable housing in Scranton, P.A. Skyview Park Apartments underwent nearly $8.2 million in renovations to preserve 188 affordable apartments. The rehabilitation of the properties marks an important step in safeguarding affordable rental homes; an increasingly endangered resource in the city of Scranton and in communities across the country.

HARRISBURG, PA - June 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed a pair of bills to combat mortgage fraud by strengthening communication between homeowners and their lenders and encouraging employees at mortgage companies to report illegal activity.

HARRISBURG, PA - July 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – More than 475,000 senior homeowners, renters and people with disabilities will be issued rebates today totaling $222.7 million through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The number is approximately 58,000 more rebates than were issued last year on July 1.

Winfield, PA - June 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to protect the housing of nearly 80 veterans at a state veterans’ home in Chester County, Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Union/Snyder) has successfully amended land transfer legislation that would maintain the residential units as long as veterans are housed there.

Glenside, PA - June 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - As the mortgage foreclosure crisis escalates, the scammers have found a lucrative new business: helping people avoid foreclosure, for a price.

Glenside, PA - June 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - Critical state programs that create jobs, save homes and build our economy and communities are on the chopping block. Please ask your state Representatives to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter supporting funding for Housing and Redevelopment Assistance, New Communites and HEMAP.

HARRISBURG, Pa., - June 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - Secretary of Banking Steve Kaplan announced today that Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corporation, or TBW, will modify loans for struggling homeowners and pay $9 million in fines as part of a settlement with Pennsylvania and 13 state mortgage regulators

PHILADELPHIA, PA June 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - Mahn Huu Doan, a/k/a "Bruce Doan", 40, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for a massive mortgage fraud and identity theft scheme, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Doan, a self-described real estate investor, would purchase houses, using false or borrowed identities, using government insured loans which he secured using fraudulent information.

Washington, D.C. - June 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - According to the Veterans Administration, about one-third of the adult homeless population are veterans, with...