(USDA) States, Territories Receive $6.63 Million in Agriculture RBEG Funds:  Forty-five states and two territories receive 61 Agriculture Dept. rural development awards totaling $6.63 million. In making the Aug. 31 announcement, Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager said the money is coming from the Rural Busines...  Read More  09/02/2010 5:30 PM

(RULES) NSP-1 Recipients Missing Deadlines Could Get Extensions to Use Funding:  First-round Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP-1) recipients who fail to meet funding obligation deadlines could still have a shot at continuing their programs pending a HUD review. HUD initially estimated in May that as much as 25% of the $3.9...  Read More  09/02/2010 4:30 PM

(FORECLOSURES) HUD, Lenders Enter into Pact to Implement National First Look Program:  HUD and major national lenders have entered into their first-ever agreement, a plan to offer state and local governments and nonprofits participating in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) the first chance to buy foreclosed homes before maki...  Read More  09/01/2010 12:09 PM

(SENATE) Small Business Jobs Bill to be Considered after Recess:  The Senate will consider legislation containing a $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund upon the Senate's return from Labor Day recess. The Small Business Jobs & Credit Act (H.R. 5297) has been in limbo in the committee since early August when...  Read More  09/01/2010 10:13 AM

(BANKS) Nation`s Largest CDFI Fails, Successor to Continue Investment in Low-Income Areas:  After battling financial difficulties – and an attempt at a private bailout this spring – the bank that also served as the nation's largest Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) is being taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. ...  Read More  09/01/2010 10:11 AM

(ENVIRONMENT) Report Urges HUD Eco-Intervention:  Boston-based National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) says in a new report that HUD should go to the rescue of up to 3 million low-income families with energy-saving appliances and new windows. NCLC issues a list of recommendations to HUD, encouraging th...  Read More  08/30/2010 5:17 PM

(BUDGET) Funding Stopgap Measure Almost Certain:  With the Senate returning from the August congressional recess Sept. 13 and the House returning a day later, Congress has a minimum of eight days and a maximum of 13 days to complete work on the FY 2011 HUD spending bill. The timeframe is an impossib...  Read More  08/30/2010 5:10 PM

(COMMENTS) Council Seeking Feedback on Green Building Education:  The U.S. Green Building Council, home of the LEED Rating Systems, is seeking feedback to help refine the green building education system. The information provided will drive both the content and format of tomorrow's green building education -- from ...  Read More  08/30/2010 5:09 PM

(GRANT) HUD Offers $20 Million for Sec. 202 Pre-Development Demonstration:  HUD is offering $20 million in fiscal year 2009 elderly housing program pre-development demonstration grants to nonprofits in order to help ensure Sec. 202 projects meet closing deadlines. Applications must be in no later than Oct. 4. The demonstrat...  Read More  08/30/2010 2:41 PM

(GRANTS) Application Period for Ryan White Grant Program Underway:  States and territories are eligible to apply through Jan. 3, 2011 for shares of $1.29 billion of Part B Ryan White HIV Care Grants. These Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) grants are designed to help develop and enhance access to Continuum...  Read More  08/30/2010 2:41 PM