August 18, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — A 6.5 acre parcel of land on the Lake Huron shore adjacent to the south part of the Bay City State Recreation Area will allow the Department of Natural Resources to better manage public access to the recreation area and address an ongoing phragmites problem. more »

Foreclosure protection offered to displaced families in 11 countiesWASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 11 storm-ravaged counties in Michigan and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. more »

MichiganState Housing Development Authority Continues to Deliver the Dream of Homeownership to Michigan Families

LANSING – A proclamation from Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has recognized the significant efforts of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to affordably house Michigan residents through its programs and services by proclaiming June as Homeownership Month in Michigan the Authority announced today. more »

Foreclosure crisis driving down property values, decimating local government budgets

LANSING-Today Senator Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) made the following statement in response to a recent report in the Detroit News about how declining property values in Michigan are hurting local governments:

“It’s a simple fact-homes in foreclosure don’t generate any revenue through property taxes. Also, foreclosed homes lower the property value of nearby homes and the entire community. more »

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Michigan State University (MSU) today applauded Elzinga & Hoeksema Greenhouses for taking the lead in environmental responsibility by becoming Michigan’s first greenhouse operation to become verified by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). more »

Two-year ‘foreclosure freeze’ will help struggling consumers get back on their feet, keep their homes

LANSING—Senator Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) was joined today by Rep. Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) and homeowners Timothy Jackson, Ruthie Williams, Rev. Steve Bell and Raymond Hintz at a press conference in Detroit to announce new legislation that will establish a two-year freeze on all mortgage and tax foreclosures in Michigan. more »

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today released three Requests for Proposal (RFP). The RFPs are for low-income energy assistance grants, low-income energy efficiency grants, and Michigan energy efficiency grants for all customer classes. The grants are funded by the Low Income and Energy Efficiency Fund (LIEEF). more »

State housing authority and lenders join forces to offer new tools to help families save homes
 
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation aimed at preserving the American dream of homeownership for Michigan families in jeopardy of losing their homes to foreclosure.  The governor was joined today by lenders from the Michigan Credit Union League, the Michigan Bankers Association, and sponsoring legislators from across the state for bill signings in Grand Rapids, Jackson, and Detroit. more »

Agency strongly supports Tobocman bill requiring consumer disclosures for tax refund loans

LANSING, March 14, 2008  – With the April 15th Tax Day deadline for filing income taxes one month away, Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS) Commissioner Ken Ross urged Michigan consumers to think twice before they agree to a refund anticipation loan (RAL) also known as “tax refund loans” or “instant loans.” more »

New programs part of “Save the Dream” campaign to protect familiesLANSING, March 6, 2008 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded the state Senate for approving bills that will help protect Michigan homeowners facing mortgage foreclosures by offering them new refinancing options.  more »