mark warner

Warner leads bipartisan effort to restructure housing finance system

Chris Graham

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation today to strengthen America’s housing finance system by replacing the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a streamlined, privately-capitalized system that preserves market liquidity and protects taxpayers from bailouts during any future economic downturns.

Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority signs 34 kW solar agreement with Secure Futures

Contributors

Secure Futures, LLC, a developer of solar energy for non-profit institutions in education and other fields, announced today that it has signed a 20 year solar services agreement with the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (the “Authority”) to install, own and operate a solar photovoltaic project on the roof of a 60-unit low-income housing apartment building in Harrisonburg.

Doug Pibel: It’s time to create a different model for housing

Contributors

Recently, the story broke that foreclosures were at the lowest level since 2007. That sounds like great news—we’re finally cleaning up the mess from the real estate bubble. Except for one thing: RealtyTrac.com, a marketer of information on foreclosed real estate, noted in April that the number of short sales (where a bank allows an owner to sell for less than is owed on the mortgage) were up by 33 percent from last year

Mark Warner: It’s time to really fix housing

Chris Graham

Recently, I attended a community meeting hosted by faith leaders in Northern Virginia’s Prince William County that brought together more than 1,000 anxious homeowners and several leading mortgage lenders. Many other communities across Virginia also have experienced significant challenges as a result of the housing crisis. But Prince William County has led Virginia in foreclosures…

Report: Link between sprawl, transportation issues, housing affordability

Contributors

Housing affordability is a critical challenge throughout Virginia—a challenge heightened by the recent recession and continuing economic turmoil, as well as problems with transportation and sprawl development, according to a report released today by Housing Virginia and the Southern Environmental Law Center. In addition to examining these problems, the organizations outline a range of practical,…

New housing at BC makes campus go green

Contributors

They don’t look like anything else on the Bridgewater College campus – and truth be known, they aren’t. The two new village-style residences that sprang up this summer on BC’s campus do far more than simply provide housing for students. By adhering to an internationally recognized green building certification system, they move the college forward…

Housing market: All is well?

Contributors

Gloom and doom, indeed. Existing-home sales were down 27 percent in July from what had been a healthy June on the national housing market. There can’t be any good news there – at least that’s the sentiment that’s been reflected in the news media. “There’s this huge decline in the number of people buying houses…