• Program Highlights
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• MIDDLE CLASS TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD A STRONG MIDDLE CLASS THROUGH A GREEN ECONOMY
• Recession Imperils Loan Forgiveness Programs
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• Finance Authority of New Orleans Housing Program getting off the Ground Despite Challenges
• Home Prices Fall at Record Pace in First Quarter

News & Events

Program Highlights

• HUSL Fair Housing Clinic’s Fair Housing Month ActivitiesThe HUSL Fair Housing Clinical Law Program has a number of community outreach and seminar activities scheduled in observance of Fair Housing Month and the 41st Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. HUD has declared, “Building the American Dream For All,” as the theme for this year’s Fair Housing Month ceremony, emphasizes the Fair Housing Act’s promise that all people have a chance at the American dream regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial status, or disability. April 1, 2009
• Professor Gilmore Interview on YouTubeProfessor Brian Gilmore, supervising attorney and adjunct professor at the Howard University School of Law Fair Housing Clinic is interviewed at the Office of the Tenant Advocate’s Tenant/Tenant Association Summit on February 18, 2009 on YouTube. February 23, 2009
• Statement From Okianer Christian Dark, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Howard University School of Law“Civil rights organizations have for years been warning about predatory lending and subprime mortgages that target communities of color, communities that often don’t have access to traditional lending institutions. We want to prevent this from happening again by evicting discrimination from our communities. We want a nation that is committed to integrated neighborhoods, an increase in the availability of affordable housing and a regulated lending environment in which people can borrow without sorrow.”- Okianer Christian Dark December 11, 2008

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Howard Law Fair Housing News Digest

• HUD SECRETARY DONOVAN ENCOURAGES COMMUNITIES, DEVELOPERS TO BUILD ENERGY-EFFICIENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSINU.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today encouraged a gathering of public housing officials, energy experts, developers and architects to continue exploring innovative practices to build energy-efficient, affordable housing and communities through HUD’s HOPE VI Revitalization program. “President Obama is committed to passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation that will generate millions of jobs, reduce the threat of deadly pollution and restore America’s role as a global leader in the clean energy industry,” Donovan said. “Increasing energy efficiency among American’s affordable housing stock is a central goal of both HUD and the Obama Administration, because it will not only create jobs, but will also lower operating costs for residents, public housing authorities and taxpayers.” July 26, 2009
• Foreclosure Help will Reach more HomeownersThe government will allow more distressed borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth to be eligible for refinancing assistance under an Obama administration housing rescue program.Currently, homeowners who owe 5% more than their homes are worth can refinance mortgages through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, part of a two-pronged approach to reduce the rapid-fire pace of foreclosures. On Wednesday, Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan said the program will be expanded, allowing homeowners who owe 25% more than their homes are worth on the market to get refinancing help through the federal agencies. Owing more on a home than it’s worth is referred to as being “underwater.” July 2, 2009
• Beazer Homes Reaches Deal on Fraud ChargesFederal prosecutors filed criminal conspiracy charges on Wednesday against one of the nation’s 10 largest home builders and reached a deal that allows it to clear its record after it pays millions of dollars to compensate borrowers who were defrauded by its former mortgage arm. The charges against Beazer Homes USA, detailed in a criminal information filed in federal court in Charlotte, N.C., involve the company’s loan origination practices, which came under federal scrutiny in March 2007 after a series of articles in The Charlotte Observer. Beazer Homes, based in Atlanta, said on Wednesday that it had closed its mortgage unit in February 2008 and revised its financial reports in May 2008 to correct improper accounting practices. July 2, 2009

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