http://www.knowledgeplex.org A comprehensive news, tools and information resource for the affordable housing and community development field. Powered by KnowledgePlex, Inc. en-us Copyright 2009, KnowledgePlex Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:18:00 -0400 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:18:00 -0400 cds-feedback@knowledgeplex.org http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097833.html The nation's air has gotten marginally better over the past 10 years, according to an annual report released Wednesday, but many cities still suffer from severe pollution problems. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097822.html AP - The economy shrank at a worse-than-expected 6.1 percent pace at the start of this year as sharp cutbacks by businesses and the biggest drop in U.S. exports in 40 years overwhelmed a rebound in consumer spending. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097815.html Thanks to federal stimulus funds, Rhode Island's pockmarked Route 138 in Tiverton is getting repaved. The state's 97,000 food stamp recipients are getting more money. And some 2,000 local youths will have summer jobs. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097797.html The Obama administration said Tuesday it is expanding its foreclosure prevention program to cover second mortgages and to direct more troubled borrowers to the Hope for Homeowners program. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097431.html AP - Worse-than-expected news on unemployment and home sales Thursday dampened optimism that a broad economic recovery might be near. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097430.html Sales of existing homes fell in March, according to an industry report released Thursday, but analysts say the housing market is showing signs of stabilization. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097424.html Sales of existing homes fell in March, after a surprise increase the month before, according to an industry report released Thursday. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097400.html Homeowners trade privacy for extra income Faced with layoffs, pay cuts, divorces or an inability to sell homes that are too big or too expensive to maintain, homeowners are popping up in classified ads offering to sacrifice their privacy for a stranger who'll help them make ends meet. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097395.html DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp. is planning to temporarily close most of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks this summer because of slumping sales and growing inventories of unsold vehicles, two people briefed on the plan said Wednesday. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097375.html AP - The chief financial officer of money-losing mortgage giant Freddie Mac was found dead in his basement early Wednesday morning in what police said was an apparent suicide. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3097376.html Former President Bill Clinton urged renewable energy Wednesday to push ahead with efforts to make clean technologies cost effective and outlined steps the government and the private sector can take to usher in a new green era. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3095448.html Mortgage applications rise a seasonally adjusted 4.7% last week compared with the week before, continuing the recent trend as more people test the homeownership market in the wake of Washington's efforts to stimulate activity in the housig market. The higher activity coincides with an upturn in interest rates charged on home loans, the Mortgage Bankers Association says. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3095321.html It may seem obvious: Increasing how much troubled borrowers pay on their mortgage leads to redefaults. But that didn't stop America's banks. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3095281.html No state has been harder hit by the housing bust than California. http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3095181.html Turbine plan whips up protests in quiet, rural area west of Chicago The wind farm debate that has raged across America has landed on Chicago's doorstep.