On September 1, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced an unprecedented agreement with the nation's top mortgage lenders to offer selected state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations a "first look" or right of first refusal to purchase foreclosed homes before making these properties available to private investors.

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The House Financial Services Committee today approved H.R. 4868, the Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act of 2010.

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After passing a motion to proceed on the conference report of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, HR 4173, the Senate yesterday passed the sweeping financial reform bill 60-39. The bill includes $1 billion for a third round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP3) funds.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program has been instrumental in assisting states and local governments to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties. Rhode Island received $19.6 million in the first round of NSP funding to target 11 communities hardest hit by foreclosures.

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On Thursday, July 15 at 2:00pm, the White House will be hosting a live chat to talk about the progress that the Partnership for Sustainable Communities (HUD/DOT/EPA) has made. Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President on Urban Policy at the White House, will moderate the chat. Participants are invited to ask questions live at www.WhiteHouse.gov/live, or you can submit questions in advance through an online partner at www.Planetizen.com.

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An article by Russ Olivo in the July 13 Woonsocket Call  discusses the determination by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that 180 units of rent-subsidized housing the Woonsocket Housing Authority wants to demolish do not appear to meet the necessary criteria for the plan to move forward.

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An online article in the Providence Business News announced that several Rhode Island nonprofit organizations will receive $6.2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to construct or renovate housing for low-income residents.

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released their American Housing Survey (AHS), a thorough look inside the homes of millions of Americans. The survey represents a comprehensive national sample of the more than 130 million residential housing units and looks at everything from the square footage of the unit to the number of homes with access to public transportation.

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On Wednesday, June 16, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse hosted a group of nearly 100 state and local leaders from Rhode Island, including HousingWorks RI's Research and Policy Associate Juan Gallo, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in energy and environmental policy facing our state, our nation, and our planet.

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22 June, 2010 — Today, the lead Cabinet secretaries from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) – from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Veterans Affairs (VA) – joined Executive Director of the USICH Barbara Poppe to unveil and submit to the President and Congress the nation's first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes accepted the plan on behalf of President Barack Obama.

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In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the House Financial Services Committee approved H.R. 2336, or the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act (GREEN Act) by a voice vote. Authored by Representatives Ed Perlutter (D-CO) and Judy Biggert (R-IL), this bill would encourage energy-efficiency and the conservation and development of renewable energy sources for housing, commercial structures and other buildings, as well as the creation of sustainable communities.

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