New York RealEstateRama

Hauppauge, NY - March 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- County Executive Steven Bellone today released a progress update on county housing initiatives that he credits with providing a diverse mix of affordable rentals for veterans, seniors, and young families, creating homeownership opportunities for hundreds of first time homebuyers, and contributing to neighborhood stabilization and the renaissance of Suffolk County’s historic downtown

New York, NY - March 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel, and Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Mathew M. Wambua were joined today by New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner/CEO Darryl C. Towns, Phipps Houses Group President & CEO Adam Weinstein, Related Companies President Bruce A. Beal, Jr., and Monadnock Construction President Nick Lembo to break ground on the first two residential buildings of the Hunter’s Point South development on the Queens waterfront. When complete the multiphase Hunter’s Point South project will be largest new affordable housing complex to be built in New York City since the 1970s

New York, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin working with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation on short-term protective measures along the the East and South Shores of Staten Island. In February, Schumer called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to formally assign the Army Corps to prioritize storm protection beaches along Staten Island’s shoreline after they were devastated by Superstorm Sandy.

New York, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on banks to extend the mortgage payment delay period, also known as a forbearance period, for homeowners who are still feeling the effects of Sandy. After Sandy, many banks issued 3 - 6 month mortgage payment holidays – meaning homeowners would not be penalized for missing payments - which have now expired or are about to expire. In addition to forbearance expiration, many banks are requiring homeowners to repay the missed months in one unaffordable lump sum payment.

News York, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and members of the Senate Republican Conference today unveiled the Family Tax Relief Act, a package of tax relief and reform measures designed to provide a major economic boost to New York’s struggling middle class families.

NEW YORK, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the resolution of an investigation into the labor practices of public-works contractor Procida Construction Corp. based on its own underpayments and underpayments by a subcontractorof dozens of workers during the construction of two affordable housing projects for seniors in Brooklyn. The Attorney General’s agreement requires Procida to pay back wages totaling $830,000 based on violations by the corporation’s subcontractor, which paid below the mandated prevailing wage rate at the Riverway project in Brownsville.

New York, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $6.4 million in funding to help farmers reduce energy costs, protect the environment, and remain economically viable. This new funding expands a successful program launched in 2011, which has already assisted 170 farms in securing annual energy savings of $850,000 and reducing power usage by 6,800 megawatt hours

STATEN ISLAND, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) joined Staten Island homeowners impacted by Superstorm Sandy in calling on federal home mortgage entities to help them keep their homes and avoid default. Homeowners impacted by Superstorm Sandy were permitted to defer mortgage payments for 90-days, which was then extended to 180-days. Deferred payments must be paid back in one lump sum. Rep. Grimm sent a letter to mortgage entities yesterday asking that the lump sum be spread out over the life of the mortgage to ease the financial burden on homeowners

Albany, NY - March 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that an expedited effort to restore beaches damaged by Superstorm Sandy and protect properties from future storms will begin with issuing bids in March for restoration work that is expected to commence in April on Staten Island. The restoration work will extend to other coastal areas in metro New York City region and Long Island.

NEW YORK, NY - March 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $2 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. This includes

Albany, NY - February 28, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that five of New York’s largest banks and mortgage servicers will have representatives available to offer one-on-one help to homeowners seeking the release of Superstorm Sandy insurance settlement funds at the Department of Financial Services’ Disaster Assistance Centers from Monday, March 4 through Saturday, March 9.

ROCHESTER - February 28, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today the arrest of Groven Glenn, a certified nurse aide, for assaulting an 83-year-old female resident at Park Ridge Living Center nursing home in the Town of Greece. Glenn was charged with one felony count of Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Elderly Person or an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the Second Degree and related misdemeanors after a surveillance video captured him viciously throwing a chicken bone at the resident and slamming her wheelchair into the door of her room.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - February 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that four of the five New York City pension funds have voted to invest $500 million in residential and commercial real estate, focused in areas affected by Superstorm Sandy.

NEW YORK, NY - February 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hines, the international real estate firm, along with partners Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc. and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, held a groundbreaking ceremony today on the site of 7 Bryant Park, an iconic new trophy-class office tower in Midtown Manhattan.

Albany, NY - February 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have agreed to the State’s request for new rules to accelerate the release of insurance proceeds to homeowners affected by Storm Sandy. As requested by the administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have reduced restrictions on how banks and mortgage servicers may release insurance money to homeowners.

Albany, NY - February 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the deadline for residents living in one of the thirteen disaster-declared counties to register for FEMA assistance has been extended to March 29, 2013. The previous deadline was February 27, 2013.

New York, NY - February 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Department of Financial Services has established a voluntary mediation process for homeowners disputing their insurance claims or dissatisfied with denials of their claims arising from Storm Sandy.

New York, NY - February 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today that the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation was awarded $1.4 million to support two energy efficiency projects that are projected to cut electricity costs by roughly $680,000 annually

Bronx, NY - February 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner/CEO Darryl C. Towns, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairman John B. Rhea, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Mathew M. Wambua, New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Marc Jahr and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner David Burney today joined Blue Sea Development principal Les Bluestone and partner, Avery Seavey, to celebrate the opening of Arbor House.

NEW YORK, NY - February 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Following the release of the second official report on the implementation of the National Mortgage Settlement today, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman noted encouraging progress on behalf of New York State homeowners. The report, which was issued today by the settlement’s national monitor showed that over $1.8 billion in consumer relief has been delivered to New York homeowners since March of 2012.

City Hall, NY - February 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn announced details of new legislation that will protect New York City homeowners seeking to physically elevate their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Council Member Vincent Ignizo, lead sponsor of the legislation, Minority Leader James S. Oddo and additional Council Members joined at today’s announcement

Albany, NY - February 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The recovery of the New York State housing market continued into 2013 as January sales of existing single-family homes, condos and co-ops were 9.5 percent ahead of January 2012, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price grew by 5 percent compared to a year ago and available inventory continued to decrease

New York, NY - February 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Two years ago, Democrats and Republicans laid aside their differences and enacted a property tax cap that finally put the brakes on rising property taxes in New York.

Brooklyn, N.Y. - February 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Mathew M. Wambua today announced that the agency has instituted a 25 percent preference for units in City-subsidized affordable housing developments for income-eligible New Yorkers displaced from their homes by Hurricane Sandy. One of the first developments to be subject to the preference is Coney Island Commons, a new affordable housing development now being marketed in Coney Island, Brooklyn. All units are subject to a lottery managed by the developer and overseen by HPD and the City’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

BUFFALO - February 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In Buffalo, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the results of the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), a $60 million initiative to support housing counselors and legal services providers working with homeowners at risk of foreclosure across the State of New York. Attorney General Schneiderman reported that in just the first three months of the program, 547 at-risk homeowners in the Buffalo-Niagara region have received assistance, and roughly 3,600 have been served throughout New York State. Schneiderman also announced the creation of a statewide hotline 1-855-HOME-456 to provide help for homeowners facing foreclosure.