Message from Secretary Ray Skinner
The Obama administration’s new Housing Finance Agency initiative will help hundreds
of thousands of working families across the country obtain affordable mortgages
and spur the development of tens of thousands of affordable rental housing.
And
it will help families in Maryland, as well.
Building upon the Homeowner Affordability
and Stability Plan announced in February, the administration’s new initiative has
two components: the New Issue Bond Program, to support new lending by HFA’s, and
the Temporary Credit and Liquidity Program, to undergird HFA’s lending programs
and infrastructure.
These are exactly the kind of measures I called for in late
September when I testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
A look at Maryland illustrates how important the new initiative will be
to working families in Maryland and across the country.
The legislature established
the Maryland Mortgage Program to provide eligible first-time homebuyers with safe,
reliable, low cost loans as well as downpayment assistance. But the number of loans
we have been able to write this year is down 50 percent from last year, in part
because the bond market remains so uncertain that we have not been able to raise
money at low enough rates to pass on to our customers.
The president’s initiative
will allow us to lower the rates on our loans, which will help more working families
in Maryland purchase sustainable mortgages at sustainable rates from us.
Similarly,
the economic climate has been so uncertain that it has been over a year since we
have been able to issue any bonds to support multifamily housing. We anticipate
the president’s initiative will allow us to finance another 2,000 to 2,500 affordable
rental housing units.
Through the New Issue Bond Program and the Temporary Credit
and Liquidity Program, the president’s new initiative will help us increase opportunities
for affordable housing for the low and moderate income families who have been hard
hit in this struggling economy.
The programs will provide a much-needed boost to
our ongoing efforts to put housing back to work.
Secretary Raymond Skinner
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FEATURE STORY
Weatherization Training Program is Hitting Its Stride
The world’s fastest automobile, the SSC Ultimate Aero, can go from 0 to 60 in 2.7
seconds. With a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of more than $654,000, the
American-built super car boasts a Twin Turbo V8 engine and, according to Guinness
World Records, can reach a maximum speed of 257 miles per hour.
When President Obama
made weatherization a key component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
– vowing to help more than a million low to moderate income households save money
on their heating bills – he asked agencies across the country to do the bureaucratic
version of flooring the accelerator, so that the money can create jobs and help
stimulate the nation’s struggling economy.
Maryland, for example, will receive about
$61.4 million in stimulus funds for weatherization over the next two years. To put
that money to work quickly - the goal set by the president and Governor Martin O’Malley
- DHCD’s weatherization team has had to really gun their engines: hire new staff,
establish new procedures and protocols with the state’s Local Weatherization Agencies,
and get the word about the program and its benefits out to the public.
“This is
an exciting time for us, but it’s also a very challenging time,
” says DHCD’s Elise
Reuschenberg, who coordinates the training program along with John Rogers. “We’ve
had to come a long way in a very short while.”
To ensure weatherization workers
meet federal standards, DHCD entered into a partnership with the Construction and
Energy Technologies Education Consortium of the Maryland Community Colleges, adapting
highly regarded curricula used by the Weatherization Training Center in Williamsport,
Pa and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Since it began
in July, 202 people have gone through the week-long program, including 49 who have
been trained as crew energy analysts. Five crew training classes and ten auditor classes already have been scheduled for
early next year. Eventually, the state hopes to establish long-term regional training
centers in central and western Maryland.
Many of the persons trained so far are
already employed or contracting for Local Weatherization Agencies that have been
awarded weatherization funds by DHCD. But DHCD has also partnered with the Maryland
Department of Human Resources and the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board to identify
good candidates among the unemployed and pay for their training. Local nonprofits
also are getting into the act. For example, Maryland Energy Conservation Inc. recently
hired six homeless people referred by Catholic Charities.
“Our goal is to make weatherization
training a sustainable program in our community colleges, after this initial boost,”
says Reuschenberg.
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BREAKING NEWS
DHCD Joins Foreclosure Prevention Workshops for Hispanic, Korean Communities>
CROWNSVILLE, MD (Oct. 31) – More than 500 families are expected
to attend a bilingual foreclosure prevention workshop on Nov. 14 at the Takoma Park
campus of Montgomery College. The day-long event, sponsored by the Governor’s Commission
on Hispanic Affairs, DHCD and several other organizations, connects homeowners facing
foreclosure with loan counselors, loan servicers and attorneys who can help them
find sustainable alternatives to losing their home. Minority communities, particularly
those with predominantly Hispanic and African American families, have been particularly
hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. Also on Nov. 14, DHCD will participate in a
foreclosure prevention workshop sponsored by the Korean Community Service Center
at the Open Door Presbyterian Church in Herndon, VA.
Department of Energy Official Tours Baltimore’s Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
BALTIMORE, MD (Oct. 30) - Department of Energy Assistant Secretary
Cathy Zoi visited the Maryland Center for Construction Technology Conference Center
to celebrate National Weatherization Day and to witness early results from Baltimore’s
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative. Through the initiative, residences undergo a
comprehensive assessment – including an energy audit, a healthy homes assessment,
and where indicated, a lead hazard risk assessment. The pilot project demonstrates
the effectiveness of a holistic approach to residential health, safety and energy
efficiency and uses funds made available through the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act for training, employment and green initiatives.
READ ON
Text Messaging Is Newest Tool in DHCD’s Efforts to Reach Distressed Families
CROWNSVILLE, MD (Oct. 30) – Distressed families can use text messaging
to get reliable, up-to-the minute information about DHCD’s foreclosure prevention
efforts, simplifying the way troubled homeowners get connected to the MDHOPE Hotline.
Texting the word “mortgage” to 79685 will generate the following rebound message:
“Get free foreclosure prevention counseling by calling the MDHOPE hotline, 877-462-7555.”
The tool is useful for homeowners who want the hotline information stored on their
cell phone for future use. DHCD also is making use of increasingly popular social
networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked-in.
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Governor O’Malley Releases Recovery and Reinvestment Act Jobs Report
ANNAPOLIS, MD (Oct. 28) – Governor Martin O’Malley reported that
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created or saved over 14,000 jobs
in Maryland since February. Days after the president signed the Recovery Act on
Feb. 17, the governor announced citizens can track Maryland’s use of the funds at
recovery.maryland.gov. The Web site has been named best in the nation by Good Jobs
First, a non-profit research center based in Washington. Recovery funds have created
56 jobs in housing, according to the report.
CLICK HERE TO READ REPORT
Governor Applauds “Revolutionary Spirit” of the Foreclosure Pro Bono Project
ANNAPOLIS, MD (Oct. 27) – Governor O’Malley joined Chief Judge
Robert Bell, officials from the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, and homeowners
who have benefited from the center’s free counseling services to declare the last
week in October Pro Bono Week in Maryland, in coordination with the American Bar
Association’s National Pro Bono Week. More than 900 Maryland attorneys have volunteered
to provide free legal counseling to distressed homeowners facing foreclosure through
DHCD’s Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Project. Some 1,794 Maryland families have
received counseling but more than 9,000 foreclosure actions have been filed in the
first quarter of 2009. The governor said more volunteers are needed to help Maryland
families cope with the continued crisis. READ ON
Governor Announces Launch of Going Green Downtown Guide
LAUREL, MD (Oct. 26) - Governor O’Malley unveiled Going Green Downtown:
A Sustainability Guide for Maryland’s Main Streets, a new publication designed to
help Maryland communities implement sustainable solutions to overpopulation, rising
energy costs, limited resources, pollution and climate change. A joint project of
DHCD and the Department of Natural Resources, the 24-page booklet is an attractive,
accessible guide to the governor’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative, providing
practical tools that allow citizens to reinvest in the state’s historic downtowns
through projects that use less energy and water resources, minimize waste and support
the local economy. The advice in the booklet reflects the best practices of the
23 communities participating in the Main Street program as well as the collaborative
efforts of DHCD and the Department of Natural Resources. READ ON
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Rep. Hoyer Hosts Foreclosure Prevention Forum for 500 Homeowners
Clinton, MD (Oct. 24) – Fifth District Congressman Steny Hoyer
and Secretary Skinner were the keynote speakers at a foreclosure prevention forum
at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in southern Prince George’s County. More than 500 distressed
homeowners received face-to-face, on-site assistance from foreclosure prevention
counselors, pro bono attorneys and lender representatives. Last year, DHCD participated
in 154 such forums across the state, reaching more than 26,000 people. Maryland
has A Sustainability Guide for Maryland’s Main StreetsGoing Green DowntownBrought
to you through a partnership of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community
Development and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources earned national recognition
for its efforts to reach out to distressed homeowners, working with political leaders,
faith-based organizations and community groups all over the state.
Secretary Skinner Honored for His Commitment to Maryland’s Minority and Women-Owned
Businesses
BALTIMORE, MD (Oct. 22, 2009) -
Secretary Raymond Skinner received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his support
of minority-owned business enterprises and his commitment to the state’s minority
and women-owned business enterprise program from the American Minority Contractors
and Business Association. The honor comes as DHCD celebrates record participation
in its MWBE program, with 33.9 percent of its procurements going to minority or
women-owned business enterprises. READ ON
Maryland’s Affordable Rental Housing to Become More Energy Efficient
Crownsville, MD (Oct. 22) – Secretary Skinner announced the launch
of the Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability program, which seeks
to promote energy efficiency and affordability in Maryland’s multifamily rental
housing developments. The program is part of an ongoing partnership between DHCD
and the Maryland Energy Administration in support of Governor O’Malley’s emPOWER
Maryland initiative, which aims to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by the
year 2015. MEEHA provides grants for both energy audits and the purchase and installation
of equipment and materials for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in
affordable multifamily rental housing. READ ON
Revitalization of North Beach Wins National Recognition
Crownsville, MD (Oct. 9) - The Council of State Community and Economic
Development Agencies awarded DHCD its Sterling Achievement Award for Maryland’s
comprehensive efforts to revitalize the town of North Beach in Calvert County. The
ongoing revitalization of the southern Maryland town incorporates Governor Martin
O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing strategy, a multi-agency, statewide initiative
to help Maryland achieve a more sustainable future by linking community revitalization,
transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and environmental
restoration efforts. READ ON
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NEWS TICKER
Work Begins on Calvert Heights Housing Units – Oct. 30,
The Kent County News
Cambridge Submits Application for $300,000 Infill Houses Grant
– Oct. 30, The Star Democrat
O’Malley Urging Mediation Before Foreclosures – Oct. 27,
The Baltimore Sun
Foreclosures Only Going to Get Worse, Officials Say –
Oct. 21, The Gazette Newspapers
After 2 Years, Workforce Housing Gets Ready to Break Ground
– Oct. 21, The Somerset Herald
MD Foreclosures Highest in 4 Years – Oct. 14, Daily Record
Garrett Lease-to-own Project Will Provide Workforce Housing
– Oct. 14, The Cumberland Times-News
CALENDAR
November 12
-
Foreclosure Solutions Workshop
To provide information and legal assistance to the citizens of Maryland who are,
or will be facing foreclosure. Registration is required for legal counseling. Call
410 659-000 for more information.
Host: Associated Black Charities and NAPFA.
Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Carter Memorial Church of God in Christ, 745 W. Fayette
St., Baltimore, MD
November 14
-
Statewide Bilingual Home Preservation Forum and Workshop
To provide information and legal assistance and on-site counseling to the Hispanic
citizens of Maryland who are, or will be facing foreclosure. Call Jessy Mejia at
410 767-7425 for more information.
Host: Governor’s Office on Hispanic Affairs and DHCD.
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Montgomery College, Takoma Park Campus,7714 Takoma Avenue,
Takoma Park, MD
-
Making Home Affordable/Foreclosure Prevention Clinic
To provide information and on-site counseling to the citizens of Maryland who are,
or will be facing foreclosure. Call Song Hutchins at 301 625-9545 for more information.
Host: Korean Community Services Center
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Open Door Presbyterian Church, 3001 Centreville Road,
Herndon, VA<
November 16
-
Foreclosure Solutions Workshop
To provide information and legal assistance to the citizens of Maryland who are
or will be facing foreclosure. Registration is required for legal counseling. Call
Yvette Foreman at 410 887-5969 for more information.
Host: We are Family CDC
Time: 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Arbutus Library, 1581 Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, MD
November 17
-
Foreclosure Outreach Information Night
To provide community members with information on various state and local agencies.
Call Madga Sobalvarro-Ochoa at 301 649-8590 for more information.
Host: DHCD
Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Arcola Elementary School, 1820 Franwell Ave., Silver
Spring, MD
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