New York RealEstateRama

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to relocate six residences along Eighteenmile Creek in Lockport that are routinely impacted by flood waters from the contaminated creek. Eighteenmile Creek is an EPA Superfund site that has been plagued by hazardous waste contamination, which is now threatening the health and safety of half a dozen homeowners and their families along Water Street. Currently, the EPA is reviewing two options for remediation, either relocation of the homeowners or a temporary soil cap on the contamination.

New York, N.Y. - July 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing a total of $1,465,000 to Nassau and Niagara counties and the city of Ogdensburg to clean up abandoned and contaminated properties. The funding is being awarded under the EPA’s brownfields program, which helps communities assess, clean up, redevelop and reuse properties at which moderate contamination threatens environmental quality and public health and can interfere with redevelopment.

New York, NY - July 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- With More Young Vets Returning Home From Iraq & Afghanistan, It’s Time for the Feds to Ensure That Vets Use Local Property Tax Benefits – Worth Thousands a Year in Westchester County – And Other Critical Benefits They’ve Earned

Albany, NY - July 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is deploying the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Mobile Command Center to Oneida and Herkimer Counties to help homeowners and businesses affected by recent heavy rains and devastating flood damage in the Mohawk Valley region. Governor Cuomo also outlined resources and advice for victims who are dealing with their insurance company to help them get the relief to which they are entitled as quickly as possible, including the availability of a DFS Disaster Hotline at 1-800-339-1759

New York, NY - July 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester is set to receive $1,063,900 in Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families program (SSVF) to serve approximately 550 participant households in Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Livingston and Ontario counties. Veterans Outreach Center will also receive a $1,006,580 grant that will allow them to expand their services to Erie and Niagara counties to serve an additional 520 veterans. Specifically, the funds will allow the Center to provide financial assistance to veterans in relation to their housing, administer support services, manage casework, and develop community partnerships to benefit the veterans

Albany, NY - July 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation that will allow Breezy Point residents to expedite repairs to homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The new law will allow homeowners in Breezy Point to bypass time-consuming permitting requirements so they can begin to repair and restore their houses and lives

NEW YORK, NY - July 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly 30 percent of Manhattan properties are now protected by regulations governing landmarks – a milestone that will stifle job creation and important economic development initiatives, increase the cost of living in New York, and further homogenize much of the borough’s neighborhoods

New York, NY - July 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is leading New York City’s entire Congressional delegation today in urging Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan to cut bureaucratic tape within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that hinders the City from providing Sandy recovery aid to businesses, homeowners, and displaced residents who desperately need relief but are currently ruled ineligible for aid

Newburgh, NY - July 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As flash flooding hits our region and Hurricane season approaches, Maloney announced federal aid programs available to homeowners and small businesses impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. Maloney launched a website last week to help homeowners and businesses continue to apply for federal recovery aid. Specifically, Maloney encouraged businesses and farmers to apply for assistance if they were directly damaged or experienced economic hardship as a result of one of these storms. In addition, Maloney highlighted ongoing housing programs available to homeowners who have unmet rehabilitation or repair needs from one of the storms.

Albany, NY - July 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today advised New Yorkers to be vigilant when seeking the services of home contractors, especially those looking to repair and rebuild their homes in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and report any illegal activity to the New York State Division of Consumer Protection at 1-800-697-1220

NEW YORK, NY - June 28, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $7.6 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that were affected by Hurricane Sandy

Brooklyn, NY - June 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- CPC Resources, Inc. (CPCR), East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC), Common Ground Community HDFC (Common Ground), St. Paul Community Baptist Church, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), and partners celebrated today the groundbreaking of Redwood Senior Living in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Located at the intersection of Wortman and Schenck Avenues, the energy-efficient development will provide 80 units of affordable housing with social services for underserved elderly residents when completed in 2014.

New York. NY - June 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Mathew M. Wambua, New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Marc Jahr, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Workforce Housing Advisors (WFHA), Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase and partners today announced the beginning of what will be a substantial renovation of four of the most physically distressed multi-family buildings in the City. The buildings, which are located at 2239, 2241, 2323 and 2333 Creston Avenue in the University Heights section of the Bronx have a combined 120 apartments.

SYRACUSE - June 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that up to $20 million over two years – obtained in last year’s settlement with the nation’s largest banks – will be made available to communities to rebuild and restore neighborhoods hit hard by the housing crisis. Following the collapse of the housing market, the New York State Legislature passed legislation in 2011 establishing “land banks” that could acquire vacant, abandoned, or foreclosed properties, and choose to rebuild, demolish, or redesign them

EUGENE, OR - June 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. and real estate professional Sarah Robitaille-Kubiak of Robitaille Real Estate have enabled a remarkable IDX solution on her professional website with the premier IDX Broker software. New York State Alliance MLS (NYSAM) listings are displayed directly on the search page Robitaille-Kubiak hosts online, giving area home seekers a comprehensive and efficient way to search through thousands of properties on the market without ever leaving the convenience Robitaille-Kubiak’s website.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee, issued the following statement upon today’s introduction of the “Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013” by Sens. Robert Corker (R-TN) and Mark Warner (D-VA).

WASHINGTON, DC - June 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, along with Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), introduced the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act in order to extend critical federal civil rights protections to individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status, disability, or source of income. Today, many in the LGBT community, many people paying rent with government housing vouchers, and numerous others routinely experience housing discrimination by landlords, banks, and real estate professionals.

STATEN ISLAND, NY - June 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-S.I./Brooklyn) joined Staten Island constituents for a press conference calling on the City to waive water fees for Sandy survivors who have used little or no water in their damaged homes. Even if a home uses no water during a billing period, homeowners are subject to a minimum charge from the City of $1.19 per day. The City is just starting to send out “suspended” bills now, and residents are outraged to find they owe hundreds of dollars (over $300 in some cases) for water they never used at a house they are currently unable to live in. At a time when Staten Islanders are waiting in limbo – whether it be for buyouts, flood maps, or more federal assistance – Rep. Grimm is calling on the city to waive these ludicrous fees until homeowners get back in their homes

NEW YORK, NY - June 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that the New York State Legislature has passed the "Certificate of Merit" bill (A. 5582/S.4530A), which will help more New York families avoid foreclosure. The bill enacts common sense reforms to bring greater integrity to the foreclosure process and expedite homeowners' participation in court-supervised mediation sessions where they can negotiate workable alternatives to foreclosure with their lender. This joint program bill was proposed by the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Court Administration.

New Yorkers, NY - June 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- “New Yorkers whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Sandy will receive additional aid this fall through legislation passed today in Albany. The bill – which our Administration proposed this Legislative session – authorizes the City to reimburse property tax payers whose homes were significantly damaged by up to two-thirds of the total bill paid for the 2013 Fiscal Year

New York, NY - June 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) - The Real Estate Board of New York’s (REBNY’s) Annual Breakfast Roundtable Discussion hosted by the Downtown Committee on Friday, June 14 drew in residential real estate professionals eager for insight and tips on navigating the challenges of today’s real estate market.

Albany, NY - June 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) - Robust buyer activity across New York State in May resulted in a 12-percent growth in the statewide median sales price from May 2012, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS.

NEW YORK, NY - June 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- National Mortgage Settlement Monitor Joseph A. Smith, Jr. today released a progress report evaluating the compliance of Ally Financial/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo with the mortgage Servicing Standards mandated by the National Mortgage Settlement. The Monitor made findings against several of the servicers, including finding that Wells Fargo failed to comply with the Servicing Standard governing the timeline for notifying borrowers of deficiencies in applications for mortgage modifications.

New York, N.Y. - June 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Mathew M. Wambua today announced the latest housing development to offer preference to income-eligible New Yorkers displaced from their homes by Hurricane Sandy. Harlem River Point South will add a total of 139 affordable housing rental apartments to the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan. Fifteen percent of the 139 affordable units will be subject to the Sandy preference. These units will be filled through a lottery managed by the developer and overseen by HPD and the City’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

New York, NY - June 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairman John B. Rhea today launched the Red Hook Urban Farm, a 1-acre urban agriculture installation and the first-ever large-scale community farm on NYCHA property. The model farm will serve as a source of fresh produce for the community while also providing a center for education, job training, and community engagement for residents.