Salem, OR - July 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) issued cease-and-desist orders against two mortgage brokers and two loan originators in four recent cases

Salem, OR - June 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today approved Oregon’s Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) application, awarding $27.3 million in federal funds to strengthen affordable housing projects throughout the state.

Salem, OR - June 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Nearly $26 million in combined grants, loans and tax credits to housing developers throughout the state will help fund 435 units of affordable housing, providing hundreds of low-income Oregonians a place to call home.

Salem, OR - June 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In its continuing effort to strengthen enforcement of mortgage lending laws, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recently issued cease-and-desist orders assessing fines and revoking the licenses of two mortgage brokers: Mountainview Marketing of St. Helens and Sterling Coast to Coast Financial Group Inc. of Irvine, Calif.

Salem, OR - June 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Spiraling unemployment and inability to pay rent are behind a dramatic jump in homelessness throughout the state, according to data released this week by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS).

Washington, DC - May 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), responded via Twitter to Newsweek Contributing Editor George F. Will’s article entitled Ray Lahood, Transformed in which Will attacks Portland. Referring to the city as the “P-word” Will asserts that the city’s government “has been, intermittently, as progressive as all get-out, trying to use zoning, light-rail projects and high-density housing to cool the planet by curbing automobile use.”

Salem, OR - May 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The long-awaited federal guidance this week for implementing key elements of the stimulus bill creates the opportunity for Oregon Housing and Community Services to move forcefully ahead with a large spring round of its Consolidated Funding Cycle, now underway.

Salem, OR - April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Oregon is applying for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to prevent homelessness and re-house homeless persons outside Oregon's major metropolitan areas.

Washington, DC - April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on a press conference call to announce that the Federal Transportation Administration has issued a project construction grant agreement for the Portland Streetcar Loop.

Washington, DC - April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1145, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act.

Salem, OR - April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In an ongoing effort to better protect Oregon mortgage borrowers from fraud, the Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a cease-and-desist order permanently barring Larry Jason Somera of West Linn from the mortgage lending industry after he pleaded guilty in Multnomah County Court to one count of forgery.

Portland, OR - April 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Portland office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office today announced expanded efforts to identify and prosecute mortgage fraud. As part of a multi-agency approach, special internet and phone tip lines have been established to handle reports of mortgage fraud. Investigations will be handled by the Oregon Mortgage Fraud Working Group, which has been operating since 2007, and continues to tackle mortgage fraud on multiple fronts.

Bend, OR - March 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor Kulongoski’s State Board of Higher Education appointment of Bend real estate developer Kirk Schueler was confirmed last week by the Oregon State Senate.

Washington, DC - March 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, Rep. Earl Blumenauer voted in favor of H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. This bill includes provisions that Blumenauer has long championed, such as giving bankruptcy judges the ability to modify existing mortgages for families who file for bankruptcy, which will encourage lenders to voluntarily modify loans.

Salem, OR - March 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Oregonians facing foreclosure should beware of offers to modify their mortgage loan or find a loan modification for a fee, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services and Department of Justice warned today.