Message from Secretary Ray Skinner
What
is a home? My good old fashioned, hardcover Webster’s dictionary contains more than
four inches of definitions, synonyms and alternative usages, including one of my
favorites: “An environment affording security and happiness.”
I’d like you to savor that description for a moment. Doesn’t it feel right? Doesn’t
it capture, albeit in the dry clinical language of a dictionary, the special place
our homes hold in our hearts?
We are recognizing that special place of security and happiness when we celebrate
National Homeownership Month in June. The White House first proclaimed National
Homeownership Month in 2002, during a period of soaring home values, ready credit
and steady interest rates. This June, we celebrate homes and homeownership in a
very different, much more sober environment.
And yet, the dream really remains the same.
Now, with an $8,000 credit for first time homebuyers being made available through
President’s Obama’s recovery plan, the American Dream is becoming even more affordable.
In addition, Maryland has increased the downpayment assistance for first time homebuyers
through the Maryland Mortgage Program from $2,500 to $3,500.
First time buyers who want to participate in the American Dream can seek out information
and federal government resources through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Website or
DHCD Website for more information.
Homeownership benefits the community and American families. When families own their
homes, they become stakeholders in the community. They are more likely to become
active in charities, churches, and schools. Owning a home is also one of the best
opportunities to create wealth by building equity.
Just as importantly, families get to own their little piece of security and happiness
– and there’s no price on that.
Sincerely,
Raymond Skinner
Secretary
Maryland
Joins Campaign to Put Housing to Work
As the nation copes with the fallout from the economic downturn, state housing agencies
are working together to quickly get President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus
funds into the hands of citizens to put people back to work and get money flowing
in the economy. To that end, the National Council of State Housing Agencies has
launched the ‘Put Housing to Work’ campaign to promote state efforts to use stimulus
funds to create or save 3.5 million jobs, improve housing options and get money
flowing in communities. More...
Weatherization Assistance Program Saves Energy,
Reduces Bills for Neediest Families
The news that Maryland will receive $61 million through the American Reinvestment
and Recovery Act for weatherization services is both exciting and challenging for
local jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations that manage these programs.
“Usually we have more demand than funds for this program and suddenly we’re flush
with funds that must be distributed in a short time. It will be an opportunity and
a challenge,” said Ralph Markus, supervisor of Home Energy Programs for the Department
of Human Resources. More…
CRISIS UPDATE
Fighting Foreclosures with the Personal Touch
Despite a nationwide effort to keep people in their homes, foreclosure filings spiked
in March as several state foreclosure moratoriums expired and lenders moved forward
with the process, according to a report from RealtyTrac, a private firm that has
been collecting data since 2005.
Maryland had more than 3,300 filings, up nearly 5 percent from February, but down
22 percent from March 2008. For the first quarter of 2009, the state had about 9,300
foreclosures. That was down more than 7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008
and down more than 18 percent from the first quarter of 2008.
More...
BREAKING NEWS
Maryland Foreclosures Dropped During First Quarter of 2009
Property foreclosures in Maryland declined to 9,289 events during the first quarter
of 2009, representing reductions of 7.4 percent from the previous quarter and 18.5
percent from last year. The state’s foreclosure rate improved to 250 households
per foreclosure, ranking Maryland the 16th highest in foreclosure concentration
nationwide. Total foreclosure filings in Maryland posted the second lowest number
since the first quarter of 2008 when the state’s foreclosure prevention law went
into effect.See
the full report.
Governor O’Malley Announces $2.5 Million for Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
CAMP
SPRINGS, MD (April 29, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley joined housing counselors,
pro-bono attorneys and homeowners from Prince George’s County as he announced federal,
state and local funding awards totaling more than $2.5 million to help prevent foreclosures
in Maryland. More...
Sharp-Leadenhall Project to Provide Affordable Housing for 192 Families
CROWNSVILLE, MD (April 23, 2009) – Secretary Skinner announced a new multifamily
development project just blocks from Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, made possible
through DHCD’s allocation of federal low income housing tax credits valued at $5.9
million and nearly $17 million in tax-exempt bonds. More...
Secretary Skinner Hosts Radio Show on Radio
One Stations
CROWNSVILLE, MD (April 17, 2009) – “Putting Maryland Neighborhoods First,”
a half-hour radio series on housing-related issues hosted by Secretary Skinner and
Wiley Hall, premiered recently with an interview with Department of Labor License
and Regulation Secretary Thomas Perez and information on foreclosure prevention.
The show airs Saturdays on Baltimore’s WOLB-FM and WOL-AM in suburban Washington.
More...
Families
First Focus Highlights Governor’s 2009 Legislative Accomplishments
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 14, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley joined Senate President
Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch, and Lieutenant Governor
Anthony G. Brown, to sign legislation putting Maryland families first during these
difficult economic times, including provisions strengthening consumer protection
in mortgage lending. More...
Maryland Announces $52.2 Million to Improve Energy Efficiency
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 27) – Maryland will receive an additional $52.2 million
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for grants for projects that
reduce total energy use, reduce green house gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency
statewide, Governor O’Malley announced. The state also is receiving $113 million
in Maryland weatherization and energy funding from ARRA.
More...
Community Legacy Grants Will Enhance, Revitalize, Maryland Communities
CROWNSVILLE, MD (March 23) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced funding to
revitalize local neighborhoods and business districts in communities all over Maryland.
The Governor allocated $4.7 million in Community Legacy awards for 63 projects across
the state. More...
New Program Stimulates Opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises
BOWIE, MD (March 20) - Lt. Governor Anthony Brown announced Maryland’s new
Linked Deposit program, giving minority business owners greater access to affordable
working capital to expand their businesses, add employees or invest in the latest
technology. More...
Resources Announced for Communities Hard-Hit by Foreclosure Crisis
CAPITAL HEIGHTS, MD (March 19) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced the allocation
of more than $18.9 million through Maryland’s Neighborhood Conservation Initiative
(NCI) to help local jurisdictions stabilize communities hardest hit by the foreclosure
and subprime lending crisis. More...
Study: Maryland Ranks 5th in Mortgage Frauds
WASHINGTON (March 16) – The recession and the dramatic tightening of lending
standards contributed to a record number of mortgage fraud reports, including an
epidemic of shady mortgage lenders, brokers and borrowers lying on loan applications,
according to a study by the Mortgage Asset Research Institute. Maryland ranked fifth
in the nation, researchers found. More...