HUD will Make $189 Million Available for Distressed Neighborhood Revitalization
August 27, 2010 by Victoria Stankard · Leave a Comment
On Wednesday, August 25th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to make $189 million in funds available for transforming public and assisted housing and revitalizing neighborhoods of concentrated poverty.
HUD will fund two revitalization initiatives to make this happen – the Choice Neighborhoods FY 2010 and the HOPE VI FY 2010.
HOPE VI Revitalization Initiative
The HOPE VI Revitalization Program has been around for almost 20 years and has been successful at transforming neighborhoods with distressed public housing into viable and sustainable mixed-income communities.
The HOPE VI Program was developed as a result of recommendations by the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing. The Commission recommended revitalization in three general areas: physical improvements, management improvements, and social and community services to address resident needs.
“We have seen remarkable success under our HOPE VI program over the last 17 years. This funding will help continue that work to transform public housing projects and improve outcomes for tens of thousands of public housing tenants,” said HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Sandra Henriquez.
To date, over 250 HOPE VI Revitalization grants have been awarded to 132 housing authorities since 1993, totaling over $6.1 billion.
Revitalization grant funds are used for a variety of projects including: capital costs of major rehabilitation, new construction and physical improvements; demolition of severely distressed public housing; acquisition of sites for off-site construction; and community service programs for residents.
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative
The aim of the Choice Neighborhoods Program is to have a more comprehensive approach to community development with housing transformation as its center. Emphasis will be on local community planning for access to high-quality educational opportunities, including early childhood education.
The initiative will transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into mixed-income neighborhoods by linking housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs.
The program plans to award up to $65 million to public housing authorities, local governments; nonprofit organizations and for profit developers that submit joint applications with a public entity.
“We are proud to work with HUD to ensure that there are great schools at the center of every Choice Neighborhood,” said Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton of the Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. “Our partnership is an important step to breaking down Federal agency silos and providing comprehensive tools to revitalize neighborhoods of concentrated poverty into neighborhoods of opportunity” said Shelton.
Grant Applications
Applicants have until Oct. 26, 2010 to apply for Choice Neighborhoods Planning or Implementation grants. Twelve to fifteen Planning Grants will be made with a maximum award of $250,000 each. HOPE VI Revitalization grant applicants will have until Nov. 22, 2010 to submit applications. Five to six grant awards will be made, with a maximum award of $22 million each.
Applications for both the HOPE VI Revitalization and the Choice Neighborhoods grants can be obtained at grants.gov
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Article Source: HUD.GOV
Habitat Cabarrus Helping Low-income Families find New Hope in the American Dream
August 20, 2010 by Victoria Stankard · Leave a Comment
Many low-income families in Cabarrus County have found new hope in the American Dream of homeownership thanks to Habitat Cabarrus, a faith-based, non-profit organization of volunteers, dedicated to eliminating substandard housing.
Habitat is based on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent and affordable place to live. Since 1989, Habitat Cabarrus has built more than 100 affordable homes.
Habitat for Humanity® homes are not “given away.” Families in need of adequate shelter and who qualify for the program work side-by-side with volunteers to build simple, decent homes, they would otherwise not be able to afford.
Habitat homes are sold to homeowners with a 20 year-old mortgage at zero interest. Habitat home buyers must also donate 500 hours of “sweat equity” of their own time and be able to afford monthly mortgage payments. The program offers a “hand up,” not a hand out.
Habitat homeowners pay around $450 per month for a three-bedroom home, much less than they would pay on rent for a comparable property.
Habitat Cabarrus’ goal is to work efficiently and build sustainable, energy-efficient and healthy housing, whenever possible. ”Recycle and Reuse” is their philosophy and homes are built to meet Advanced Energy guidelines, ensuring lower utility bills for homeowners and reduced negative impact on the environment.
Since 1980, Advanced Energy, located in Raleigh, NC has been developing innovative programs and conducting cutting-edge research to deliver practical, sustainable solutions for the energy-using public.
People Helping People Build Better Lives
Habitat Cabarrus is strictly non-profit and relies on volunteers to work alongside their Partner Families on the construction of homes and other areas of their organization.
They invite volunteers and donors from all faiths and walks of life to come together and help eliminate substandard and poverty housing in Cabarrus County. If you would like information on how you can become a donor or volunteer, please visit the Habitat Cabarrus website.
Photo Contest and Exhibit in Conjunction with World Habitat Day
Habitat Cabarrus is currently hosting a photo contest and exhibit in conjunction with World Habitat Day, in Concord, NC. Entrants submit photos along with a short narrative on what home means to them. Photos will be on display as an ongoing exhibit through Oct. 20th, 2010 and will open with a reception on World Habitat Day. Photos will be compiled and sent to lawmakers as an appeal for safe, affordable housing.
“World Habitat Day is a day for grassroots action and a day for people to be united in their efforts to eradicate poverty housing” - Habitat for Humanity® International.
The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October as annual World Habitat Day, held this year on Oct. 4th, 2010. For more information about the exhibit and opening reception, contract Kristin Hoke. Phone: 704-786-4001, Ext. 114 or E-mail: kristinhoke@habitatcabarrus.org.
Charlotte NC Real Estate Homes for Sale
Leigh Brown is a leader in the Charlotte market and can assist you with buying a home in the Charlotte area or aggressively market your existing Charlotte home for sale. Leigh is also a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and is committed to helping families in financial distress find options to foreclosure. She’s got the solutions you need! For more information, please fill out the online contact form or give Leigh Brown a call.
Office: (704) 688-5005
Mobile: (704) 507-5500
Fax: (866) 440-7136
Broker: (704) 688-5000
Learn more about Charlotte Real Estate For Sale at LeighSells.com.
Additional Funds Forthcoming for Targeted Foreclosure-Prevention
August 14, 2010 by Victoria Stankard · Leave a Comment
Approximately 1.4 million mortgages are in serious delinquency and another 1.5 million homeowners are already in foreclosure.
In a press release issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on August 11th, the Obama administration announced $3 billion in additional funds forthcoming for targeted foreclosure-prevention.
Through the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) Innovation Fund for the Hardest Hit Housing Markets, established last February, the Treasury Department will make additional assistance of $2 billion available for homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments due to unemployment.
Along with the Hardest Hit Fund initiative, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will establish a new $1 billion Emergency Homeowners Loan Program that will provide up to 24 months of assistance for struggling homeowners at risk of losing their homes, due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment or a medical condition.
“We remain committed to helping struggling homeowners, and this program will provide additional assistance to states hit hardest by unemployment,” said Herb Allison, Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability, regarding the new money for the Hardest Hit Fund.
The HUD’s new Emergency Homeowners Loan Program will provide assistance to homeowners in hard hit local areas that may not be included in the hardest hit target states. Those areas are still being determined.
“The program will work through a variety of state and non-profit entities and will offer a declining balance, deferred payment “bridge loan” (zero percent interest, non-recourse, subordinate loan) for up to $50,000 to assist eligible borrowers with payments on their mortgage principal, interest, mortgage insurance, taxes and hazard insurance for up to 24 months”
In order to qualify for HUD’s new Emergency Homeowner Loan Program, borrowers must be at least three months behind on their mortgage payments and show a reasonable likelihood of being able to resume repayment of their mortgage and other related housing expenses within two years. The mortgage property at risk must be the homeowner’s principal residence and they can not own a second home and borrowers must have a good payment history prior to reduction or loss of income.
Additional details about the new Emergency Homeowner Loan Program, including the targeted communities and other program specifics, will be announced by HUD in the next couple of weeks.
Charlotte NC Real Estate Homes for Sale – Charlotte NC Foreclosures
Leigh Brown is a leader in the Charlotte market and can assist you with buying a home in the Charlotte area or aggressively market your existing Charlotte home for sale. Leigh also a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), committed to helping families in financial distress find options to foreclosure. She’s got the solutions you need! For more information, please fill out the online contact form or give Leigh Brown a call.
Office: (704) 688-5005
Mobile: (704) 507-5500
Fax: (866) 440-7136
Broker: (704) 688-5000
Learn more about Charlotte Real Estate For Sale at LeighSells.com.
Article Sources:
HUD.GOV
International Business Times
Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual Charlotte Irish Summer Festival Coming up!
August 10, 2010 by Victoria Stankard · Leave a Comment
If you have a “touch of the old Irish” in you or you just want to have a really good time, don’t miss out on the 3rd Annual Charlotte Irish Summer Festival coming up this Saturday, August 14th, 2010.
There’ll be plenty of entertainment and fun things to do for the entire family, including Irish music and dancing; lots of food and drink; crafts and games (for kids and adults); and much more. Festival kick-off party and bar crawl is at 6:00 PM, Friday, August 13th at Connolly’s Irish Pub on 5th Street.
The festival starts at 11:00 am – 10:00 pm this Saturday and is located at the corner of 3rd and Tyron Street Adult admission is just $5 dollars and kids are FREE!
Charlotte Irish Summer Festival Events
Bands scheduled throughout the day include:
- Clanndarragh @ 11:30 & 2:30 (Cultural Tent)
- Ceol na Gael @ 11:00 & 1:30 (Main Stage area)
- McLean Avenue @ 5:30 (Main Stage)
- Fighting 86′s @ 3:00 (Main Stage)
- Trad at Heart @ 12:30, 4:30 & 6:30 (Cultural Tent)
- Vertigo @ 8:00 (Main Stage – Headliner)
Irish dance school performances
Schools performing include:
- Rince na h’Eireann School of Irish Dance
- Walsh Kelley School of Irish Dancing
Performances are at 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 (Cultural Tent)
Open Celtic sessions scheduled throughout the day.
- Bring your own instrument and join in.
- Sessions are at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00 (Cultural Tent)
Cornhole Tournament
Entry is just $10/team – includes Cornhole Tournament and admission into the festival.
- Team Check-in is 12:00-12:45
- Tournament begins at 1:00
- Contact RockHouse Events for more information about the tournament
Contact info@charlotteirishsummerfestival.com for more info about the Charlotte Irish Summer Festival
Charlotte NC Real Estate Homes for Sale
Leigh Brown is a leader in the Charlotte, NC market and can assist you with buying a home in the Charlotte area or aggressively market your existing Charlotte, NC home for sale. Leigh is also a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) committed to helping families in financial distress find options to foreclosure.
If you or someone you know is facing possible foreclosure, give Leigh a call. She’s got the solution you need!
Office: (704) 688-5005
Mobile: (704) 507-5500
Fax: (866) 440-7136
Broker: (704) 688-5000
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Caterpillar Inc. will Add New Jobs to the Charlotte NC Area
August 6, 2010 by Victoria Stankard · Leave a Comment
Good news on the employment front for the Charlotte area!
North Carolina has offered Caterpillar Inc. (“CAT”), the world’s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment; diesel and natural gas engines; and industrial gas turbines, $4 million dollars in tax refunds and grants to expand its Sanford, NC plant.
The Sanford plant builds tight-turning skid loaders used primarily in landscaping and construction. The estimated $25 million plant expansion will add 325 jobs to the Charlotte area within 4 years.
In June, Caterpillar Inc. also announced plans to build a parts plant in Winston-Salem (Forsyth County), NC, where workers will machine, assemble, test and paint axle assemblies for large mining machines. Production is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2012.
The 426 million dollar Winston-Salem factory expects to employ about 390 full-time workers in five years and another 120 contract workers at the plant.
Caterpillar Inc. currently employs about 1,000 full-time workers in the following North Carolina locations: Charlotte, Cary, Clayton, Goldsboro, Franklin, Morganton, New Bern, Sanford and Smithfield.
If you would like more information about Caterpillar Inc. job opportunities in the Charlotte area, including recent college graduate openings and experienced professional openings, visit their company website under Caterpillar Careers.
Charlotte NC Relocation Expert – Charlotte NC Real Estate Homes for Sale
Leigh Brown, a Charlotte relocation expert and leader in the Charlotte market, can assist you with buying a home in the Charlotte area. Leigh will listen to your wants and needs and help you find the perfect Charlotte home for sale in the right neighborhood to fit your lifestyle and budget!
You can reach Leigh by filling out her online contact form or give her a call at:
Office: (704) 688-5005
Mobile: (704) 507-5500
Fax: (866) 440-7136
Broker: (704) 688-5000
Leigh knows Charlotte. Let her do the work for you!
Article Sources:
http://triangle.bizjournals.com/
http://www.wcnc.com/
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/
Leigh Brown, aka The Real Estate Diva, is a native of Concord NC in the Charlotte area. She grew up on a farm at the edge of Cabarrus County, still goes to the same church she grew up in (home of the world famous Mallard Creek Barbecue!), but has become a leader in area real estate through constant learning and continually upgrading technology to better serve buyer and seller clients. Leigh does indeed have a reputation as a barracuda-when it comes to protecting client interests. Her softer side is reserved for her husband and two kids who provide a constant source of joy-and entertainment
