July 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, praised the release of $26 million for affordable housing projects and programs throughout Connecticut. The funding, which was announced today by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will allow the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to jumpstart affordable rental housing projects across the state while creating construction jobs. more »

WASHINGTON, DC - June 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today applauded the release of $26,170,888 for affordable housing projects and programs throughout Connecticut. The funds were released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) last week helped pass sweeping, bipartisan energy reform that will create jobs, strengthen national security, protect Connecticut consumers, and push back the tide of global warming. President Obama’s American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES Act) passed the United States House Friday and includes a provision written by Congressman Himes to make energy-efficient housing more affordable. more »

June 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her plan to distribute $3.6 million in federal stimulus block grants to help small cities and towns rebuild their neighborhoods hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis will be the subject of a public hearing Wednesday at the Legislative Office Building. more »

WASHINGTON, DC - May 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — At a ceremony at the White House yesterday, Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) joined other affordable housing leaders in support of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. This landmark legislation enables more homeowners to refinance mortgages, especially those who are current with payments but owe more than their homes are worth. Provisions in the bill also help restore the flow of credit. more »

May 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, the Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today attended President Obama’s signing ceremony for the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, legislation that Dodd sponsored to help prevent foreclosures and increase the availability of credit for consumers and businesses.  Dodd was joined at the ceremony by two supporters of the bill from Connecticut:  Tony Emerson, the Executive Director of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, and Carol Walter, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. more »

Washington, DC - May 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today announced nearly $20 million in funding from the Recovery Act for water quality programs in Connecticut. The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the state of Connecticut two grants that will create jobs and invest in finance green infrastructure, storm water management, and low-impact development. more »

Legislation Creates New Tools to Prevent Foreclosures, Protects Renters, Increases Availability of Credit

May 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, praised today’s Senate approval of his legislation aimed at preventing foreclosures and increasing the availability of credit for consumers and businesses. The “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act,” which is cosponsored by Banking Committee Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL), would provide more tools to borrowers and banks to help prevent foreclosures and makes it easier for homeowners and loan servicers to use those tools. The legislation also includes important new protections for renters who find themselves facing eviction because their landlord is in foreclosure. more »

Will Create Need for Hundreds of Skilled Workers
And More Training Opportunities Statewide

April 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state will receive $64.3 million in federal stimulus funds to greatly expand a statewide program that helps thousands of low-income families reduce energy costs and consumption by weatherizing their homes. more »

April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) said today state funding to underwrite design work for renovations at the Connecticut Veterans’ Home in Rocky Hill will qualify for federal matching funds. Senator Doyle said the State Bond Commission approved $489,000 last week for architectural and engineering fees to get the project started but the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs will provide 65 percent of the estimated $10.3 million total construction cost. more »

Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) & First Selectman say project will help town/gown relations

April 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Hartford: Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) is pleased to announce that funding for a new parking garage at Eastern Connecticut State University will be approved by the State Bond Commission on April 24, 2009. The $18 million dollar garage, located on the north campus in Willimantic, will hold 808 vehicles. more »

Rehabilitated Foreclosed Properties Available for
Eligible Low- and Moderate-Income Borrowers

April 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a comprehensive housing plan combining state and federal funds will allow communities across Connecticut to rehabilitate vacant foreclosed properties while helping eligible low- and middle-income borrowers buy those homes. more »

April 02, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced $3,297,000 in federal funding to update and improve Connecticut’s Courthouses and Federal Buildings under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding is part of a nationwide plan to convert Federal buildings and Courthouses into high-performing energy efficient “green” buildings. more »

April 02, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor M. Jodi Rell today said she is pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a version of federal energy legislation that does not include increased powers for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – a provision Governor Rell sharply condemned in a letter to U.S. Senate leaders last month. more »

Willimantic, Putnam, and Brooklyn receiving thousands for ‘shovel ready’ housing projects

Hartford, CT - March 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says that as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA of 2009), several public housing authorities in Eastern Connecticut will receive Public Housing Capital Fund Formula Grants. more »