PD&R Edge Elist 02/12/2013

New on The Edge

Message from PD&R Senior Leadership:
Investing Together: Tackling Capacity and Coordination Challenges Across Levels of Government
HUD's Office of International and Philanthropic Innovation (IPI) is helping to inform the Obama Administration's Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative (SC2) through its engagement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Philanthropic Innovation Ana Marie Argilagos gives examples from a recent OECD report on how other national governments are coordinating efforts and building capacity among their regional, state, and local governments.

In Practice:
Promoting Homeownership for Police Officers and Firefighters in Chattanooga, Tennessee
A new program in Chattanooga, Tennessee is providing police officers and firefighters with an incentive to reside in the neighborhoods they serve and protect. The Chattanooga Police and Fire Fund for Homeownership program provides forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for law enforcement and firefighting personnel who purchase homes in the city.

Policy Update:
Shared Equity Models Offer Sustainable Homeownership
In the wake of the housing market collapse, pathways to homeownership have been obstructed by tighter lending standards and declining household incomes. For low-income families seeking homeownership opportunities in this new economic climate, shared equity models offer many of the benefits of owning a home with less financial risk.

Statistical Reports:
Housing Scorecard January 2013
The January scorecard shows continued progress for the housing market in many key indicators. Sales of new and existing homes in December 2012 are up 8.8 percent, and 12.8 percent, respectively, compared with the previous year, and home prices are up 5 percent over the same period. The number of underwater mortgages continues to decline, and the Administration’s foreclosure prevention programs are providing relief for millions of homeowners as the country continues to recover from the unprecedented housing crisis.