Providence, RI - February 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — At a time when so many Rhode Islanders are in need of a safe, healthy home that they can afford, Rhode Island’s unsettled economy continues to be a strain on many. At the same time, there are many factors that make now a great time to buy a home. Rhode Island Housing is encouraging people to buy smart. Together with its partners, the agency is offering free classes designed to provide the tools to help make safe, informed decisions about buying a home. more »

Providence, RI - January 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — As Rhode Island and the rest of the nation continue to battle a troubled economy, the federal government is recognizing the important role that Rhode Island Housing and other Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) throughout the nation are playing in the nation’s recovery efforts. more »

Washington, DC - January 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded $68,000 to the Housing Authority of the City of Providence, Rhode Island to help public housing residents find jobs that lead them toward economic independence. more »

Providence, RI - January 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch is alerting Rhode Island consumers who qualified for a portion of the $547,000 in foreclosure relief funds resulting from his office’s settlement with Countrywide Financial Corp. that their checks are scheduled to be mailed to them on Feb. 12. more »

WARWICK, RI - January 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Jim Langevin and Ron Simms, Deputy Secretary at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, will visit the headquarters of YouthBuild Providence and the Olneyville Housing Corporation to see the impact of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding this afternoon. more »

Providence, RI - January 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Homeowners facing foreclosure are often desperate for help, but don’t know where to turn.

Under a new law passed by the General Assembly over the governor’s veto yesterday, lenders will be required to provide them with information about free mortgage counseling before they can begin any foreclosure process. more »

Warwick, RI - October 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — This morning, the House of Hope, Housing Resources Commission (HRC), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), LISC, Corporation for Supportive Housing, the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals, and Rhode Island Housing broke ground on five new homes for Rhode Islanders with disabilities. Originally a Baptist meeting house established in 1744, the Thomas Wilbur Homestead will provide permanent homes with supportive services, such as case management, benefits assistance and life skills classes, while preserving the historic character of the property. more »

Washington, DC - October 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Families facing foreclosure, seeking affordable rental housing, or hoping to buy their first home will have a greater opportunity to find housing, or keep the homes they have, because of $215,899 in housing counseling grants awarded to two agencies in Rhode Island by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. more »

Barrington, RI - October 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — This afternoon, Rhode Island Housing, East Bay Community Development Corporation (East Bay CDC), the state Housing Resources Commission (HRC), and other partners celebrated the completion of 14 new homes that working families in Barrington can afford to rent. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Sweetbriar, marking the end of the development’s first phase. more »

Providence, RI - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The State of Rhode Island, along with the cities of Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket today announced the distribution of $6.9 million for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds will prevent homelessness, due to the loss of housing and jobs, and will provide assistance to move from emergency shelters into stable housing. more »

Boston, MA - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Lisa Torres, 40, formerly of Johnston, pleaded guilty today to a $1.7 million mortgage fraud scheme in which she purchased properties that had recently been foreclosed upon, and then used the names of straw purchasers in sham sales to finagle mortgage financing. more »

WASHINGTON, DC - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In an effort to curb record-high foreclosure rates across the country and stabilize the housing market, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today introduced legislation that will help keep families in their homes and prevent communities from deteriorating as a result of skyrocketing mortgage defaults.  Reed’s Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2009, cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), will help address the housing crisis by requiring that qualified homeowners are evaluated for and offered loan modifications; establishing a new mortgage payment assistance program; and incentivizing states and local governments to create strong mediation programs, which allow homeowners and servicers to meet face to face to try to find an alternative to foreclosure. more »

Washington, DC - September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In the Obama Administration’s continued effort to stimulate community development and job growth, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $4 million to five Rhode Island communities, plus the State of Rhode Island, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This funding is part of $620 million awarded nationwide. more »

All Recovery Act Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing funds now awarded and at work; Total HUD Recovery Act grants awarded now exceeds $10 billion milestone

Washington, DC - September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded more than $3.1 million in Recovery Act funding to two communities in Rhode Island. The City of Providence is being awarded $2,303,402; and the City of Pawtucket is being awarded $845,934. more »

Providence, RI - September 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Office of Governor Donald L. Carcieri, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), and the City of Providence have released the “Rhode Island Interstate 195 Relocation Surplus Land: Redevelopment and Marketing Analysis.” This report builds on plans for the land that will be opened up once the old I-195 is removed as part of the Iway project. more »