Census Bureau: New Data and Tools Apps to Be Unveiled at Technology Demo Day on March 1st
The U.S. Census Bureau will host technology industry and university teams to showcase 20+ new innovative tech tools at an interagency demonstration day created through a federal initiative called The Opportunity Project (TOP). These new tools address challenges such as using artificial intelligence to connect veterans with apprenticeships, promoting access to and interest in STEM…
HUD: $10.6 Million in Jobs Plus Grants Awarded to Help Low-Income Public Housing Residents Secure Higher Paying Jobs
Jobs Plus grants to help families achieve financial self-sufficiency To help low-income public housing residents increase their income and move toward self-sufficiency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $10.6 million to four Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). HUD’s Jobs Plus Initiative connects public housing residents with employment, education and financial empowerment services—a…
HUD: Advance Notice Drastically Cut to 14 Days for Inspections of Public Housing and Privately Owned Apartment Buildings
14-day advance notice designed to encourage year-round maintenance The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it is dramatically reducing the advance notice it provides to public housing authorities (PHAs) and private owners of HUD-subsidized apartment developments before their housing is inspected to ensure it is decent, safe and healthy. HUD’s new…
EDA: $800,000 Invested to Establish a Business Incubator in the Town of Tabor City, NC
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an $800,000 grant to the town of Tabor City, North Carolina, to renovate a historic building for use as a business incubator that will support business growth in the region. “We commend Tabor City on their strategy to help support local entrepreneurs,” said…
EDA: $3 Million Invested to Improve Access to the Philadelphia Navy Yards Business Campus
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to ease access to the Philadelphia Navy Yards business campus. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to…
ABA: 7 Ways to Make Your Tax Refund Count
As many Americans receive their refunds this year, the American Bankers Association has highlighted seven tips to help them use the money wisely. “Prioritizing your tax refund to create an emergency fund and pay off debts first will help position you for financial comfort the rest of the year,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director of…
FEMA: President Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Mississippi
WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Mississippi to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, flooding and tornado from Dec. 27-28, 2018. Federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain…
HUD: $10 Million in “Sweat Equity” Grants Announced
SHOP grants enable homeownership opportunities for 539 families The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $10 million in “sweat equity” grants to support four non-profit, self-help housing organizations that enable homeownership opportunities for hard-working, low-income families and individuals. Funded through HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), the grants awarded today, along with…
HUD: $74 Million Awarded to Help Families Reach Self-Sufficiency
Federal funding to support education and employment among HUD-assisted families U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today awarded $74 million to hundreds of public housing authorities across the country to continue helping public housing residents participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program and/or reside in public housing to increase their earned income…
FHFA: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Refinance Volume Decreases in Fourth Quarter 2018
Nearly 3.5 Million HARP Loans at Program Expiration The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed 245,620 refinances in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with 253,135 in the third quarter. FHFA’s fourth quarter Refinance Report also shows that 1,390 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program…