Region IV HUDLines

A quarterly newsletter about HUD information in the Southeast and Caribbean Region

OCTOBER IS ENERGY MONTH

Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency in appliances, building materials and construction methods. It was started in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),HUD, DOE and EPA work together in supporting Energy Star in various programs. An example is the Change a Light Change the World Program which asks every household and business in America to replace one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star light bulb. The Change a Light Change the World Campaign starts on October 3, 2007. Sign up now and help America become more energy efficient and help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and take the pledge to Change a Light (www.energystar.gov/joincal). To learn more about the Energy Star Program visit www.energystar.gov

FHASecure - A NEW FHA INITIATIVE - Avoid Foreclosure

The President has asked Secretary Jackson to pursue important administrative changes to give FHA the flexibility to help more families stay in their homes during this time of transition in the mortgage market. The FHASecure program will help people who have good credit but who have not made all of their payments on time because of rising mortgage payments.

STEPS FOR HOMEOWNERS TO AVOID FORECLOSURE
If you are unable to make your mortgage payment:

1. Don't ignore the problem.
2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem.
3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender.
4. Know your mortgage rights.
5. Understand foreclosure prevention options.
6. Contact a non-profit housing counselor.
7. Prioritize your spending.
8. Use your assets.
9. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies.
10. Don't lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams!

JOIN THE NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION
America's Affordable Communities Initiative

On September 25th, HUD Atlanta Regional Director Bob Young, opened the 2nd workforce housing conference in Region IV, held in Athens, Georgia and co-sponsored by the University of Georgia. Symposium Conveners were: the University of Georgia Housing and Demographics Research Center and its Board of Advisors, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, and the Georgia State Trade Association of Non-profit Developers.

At the first HUD workforce housing conference held in Louisville, Kentucky on June 20, 2007, Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi issued HUD's National Call to Action for Affordable Housing Through Regulatory Reform. This National Call to Action is an appeal designed to reduce or eliminate unnecessary regulations that price housing beyond the reach of millions of Americans. More than 150 communities and organizations had already joined HUD's �Call to Action.� Visit America's Affordable Communities Initiative and Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse (http://www.regbarriers.org).

REBUILDING HOUSING AND IMPROVING LIVES AFTER HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA

Working with local officials and community leaders, the Bush Administration continues to provide unprecedented assistance to help Gulf Coast communities and families recover from the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. Help is being provided to homeowners to get the assistance they need to rebuild their lives, providing affordable housing and helping those displaced by the storm have a safe place to live until they can get back on their feet. Beginning November 1, 2007, HUD will take over long-term rental assistance through the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP), currently run by FEMA and will provide extensive case management for families who had been assisted under FEMA's program. HUD will use its extensive national network of Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to provide housing assistance and case management services for eligible families to help families get on a path to self-support. HUD has established a call center with a toll-free number for families and PHAs seeking additional information. FEMA families, DVP voucher holders, and PHAs who are interested in administering DHAP can contact HUD at 1 (866) 373-9509.

HUD EARNS COMPUTERWORLD 2007 LAUREATE AWARD
HUD has been recognized as a recipient of the prestigious Laureate Award by the Computerworld Honors Program. HUD earned the honor by greatly improving the HUD IT infrastructure. Each year members of the Computerworld Honors Chairmen's Committee, a group of 100 Chairman and CEOs from leading global IT companies, submit nominations for organizations they feel demonstrated extraordinary use of information technology.