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WASHINGTON, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to Michigan families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (HR 3548) will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to the 62,753 Michigan workers whose benefits would otherwise run out by the end of the year.

LANSING, MI - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office has filed charges against a Wyoming, MI woman accused of defrauding the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by fraudulently obtaining a mortgage, defaulting on that mortgage and leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.

Washington D.C.) - October 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Health and Human Services announced the release of $2.7 billion in grant funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) . The funding, which is for the remaining months of the year, will be used to help eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes this winter

$8,000 Credit, Which Is Helping Home Sales Rebound, Is Set to Expire at the End of Next Month. Washington, D.C. - October 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Gary Peters today urged House leadership to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, a measure enacted in February that saves new homebuyers thousands of dollars and has helped the U.S. housing market rebound in recent months. The credit is set to expire November 30th. Congressman Peters, along with a bipartisan group of colleagues, today sent a letter (text below) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner expressing their desire to extend the credit’s deadline.

LANSING, MI - October 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation today announced that, starting January 4, 2010, Michigan mortgage broker, lender, and servicer licensees and registrants will begin participation in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). The new electronic system was developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR).

WASHINGTON, DC - October 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has committed to insure a $28,310,000 loan to Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) in L’Anse U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak announced Friday. The loan is being provided through the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program and will be used to construct a new facility approximately 3 miles from the existing site.

Plan reins in consultant “rescue” scams and requires more transparency for homeowners. LANSING, MI - October 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- As new numbers reveal that home foreclosures continue to plague Michigan and the nation, Senate Democrats are preparing to unveil a new legislative package attacking “foreclosure consultant” scams and giving homeowners more transparency in the loan modification process. Despite efforts from both federal and state government agencies, the number of foreclosure filings nationwide hit a record high in the third quarter of 2009, according to a report issued yesterday.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Congressman Mark Schauer announced that the Community Action Agency has been awarded a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling Assistance Program grant. The grant is for comprehensive housing counseling ($42,724) and loan documentation review ($5,000) to support housing counseling activities in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties

WASHINGTON, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced four counties in Northern Michigan have received grants totaling $127,430 to repair and rehabilitate low income housing. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. Cheboygan, Ogemaw, Emmett and Presque Isle Counties received grants

WASHINGTON, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Mark Schauer voted to pass two key measures for our American veterans. The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act (H.R. 3590), which passed with bipartisan support today, will extend the deadline for taking advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for qualified service members by one year.

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan's Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate Melvin Butch Hollowell today urged the Michigan Supreme Court to affirm the state's right to prohibit auto insurance companies from using occupation, education, and credit scores in setting auto insurance rates.

October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This is the time of year to get your furnace cleaned and ready for winter. Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss offers some sensible tips so you do not get taken to the cleaners

$500,000 will allow Housing Commission to renovate senior center. Washington D.C. - September 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that the Eastpointe Housing Commission will receive a $492,000 Recovery Act grant to improve energy efficiency at Berry Manor, an apartment complex for low-income seniors administered by the Commission.“This Recovery Act funding will not only give Eastpointe the resources they need to jump start renovation at Berry Manor, it will also reduce long-term energy costs and stimulate the local economy," said Rep. Levin

Washington D.C. - September 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that all Recovery Act funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) have been released and are now in the hands of the state and local communities. The Recovery Act included $1 billion for CDBG of which $2.9 million was allocated for Macomb and Oakland Counties and communities.“More CDBG funding, through the Recovery Act, comes at an important time for our communities who are grappling with difficult budgets and the ongoing economic downturn,” said Rep. Levin. “Communities can decide what programs best meet the needs of their communities and residents, and get the money out to stimulate the local economy.”

WASHINGTON, DC - September 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has been awarded $5,535,975 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding is from the Public Housing Capital Funds and will be used to upgrade public housing by increasing energy efficiency and create jobs