The Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act Passes in the House

Congresswoman Terri Sewell issued the following statement after the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act (H.R. 650), a bill she co-sponsored to preserve critical access to financing for manufactured homes for low-income and rural families, passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

City of Mobile constructs new homes in Oakleigh District

"These new homes are a prime example of how we are taking back our neighborhoods. It's the answer to many of the challenges we are facing including blight, housing and crime. You can expect more transformations like this in the months to come." - Mayor Sandy Stimpson

Alabama Welder Named ABC National Craft Professional of the Year

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has named Holley Thomas, Double Springs, Ala., as its Craft Professional of the Year. Thomas works as a foreman for KBR. Thomas received the honor March 6 during ABC’s National Craft Championships (NCC) and Workforce Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Free Financial Literacy Workshops

Join us for free workshops to empower you and your family to build a stronger financial foundation. All workshops are held at the Lifelines Counseling Services office, 705 Oak Circle Dr E, Mobile, 36609. Due to limited space, please call 251-602-0011 to register in advance for the workshops.

Alabamians Can Go To Home Depot, Lowes For FEMA Advice On Rebuilding Stronger

As recovery continues from the April 28 to May 5 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that hit Alabama, federal officials are offering help on how to rebuild “stronger and safer” for the next disaster

Shelby Opposes Massive New Regulator and Taxpayer Exposure in Housing Regulation Bill

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), senior member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today stressed the need for housing finance reform but detailed his opposition to related legislation under consideration by the committee. Shelby pointed out that the proposed bill would greatly expand and further complicate the role of government in housing markets, empowering a new super-regulator with the same authorities used to bail out Wall Street and putting taxpayers on the hook for trillions of dollars of liability. In doing so, Shelby strongly challenged the assertion that the legislation is the best way to move beyond the unacceptable status quo. Excerpts of Shelby’s statement are below in bold, followed by the full text of his prepared remarks

Brooks Delighted TVA to Provide Relief for Guntersville Aquatic Weed Control

Today, U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) commended the Tennessee Valley Authority’s announcement that it will work with a newly created Alabama state board, legislators and local officials to find a long-term funding solution to manage invasive aquatic weeds in residential and commercial areas of Guntersville Reservoir. According to TVA’s release, “If the stakeholder group of homeowners, anglers, environmentalists and state and local agencies agrees to reinstate a Guntersville weed management plan, TVA will provide short-term funding to treat weeds in residential and commercial areas for six years beginning this summer.

Alabama Real Estate Developer Pleads Guilty to Filling Protected Mississippi Wetlands

William R. “Rusty” Miller, a real estate developer from Fairhope, Ala., pleaded guilty today in federal district court in Gulfport, Miss., to the unpermitted filling of wetlands near Bay St. Louis, Miss., in violation of the Clean Water Act, announced U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Gregory K. Davis and Acting Assistant Attorney General Robert G. Dreher of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division

ABC Member Wins Alabama Special Runoff Election for U.S Congressional Seat

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today applauded the Nov. 5 victory of ABC Alabama Chapter member and former state Sen. Bradley Byrne in a Republican special primary runoff election for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.

HUD APPROVES DISASTER RECOVERY PLANS IN ALABAMA

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today approved several disaster recovery plans throughout the State of Alabama totaling $54.5 million to help local communities to recover from severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2011. These disaster plans will rely on grants provided earlier this year through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

ST. HUD AND ALABAMA REAL ESTATE COMPANY SETTLE CLAIM ALLEGING AGENT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AFRICAN...

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that LLB&B, Inc., a real estate company based in Mobile, AL, will pay $29,000 as part of a Conciliation Agreement resolving allegations that one of its agents refused to show a condominium to a prospective homebuyer because he is African American. The homebuyer alleged that he learned of the discrimination when the real estate agent inadvertently left a message on his telephone voicemail indicating her belief that white neighbors would ‘panic’ at the prospect of an African American neighbor.

Alabama to Receive Additional Disaster Recovery Funding

Nearly $120 million in additional funding will help Alabama communities in the ongoing recovery from the spring 2011 severe weather outbreak. Governor Robert Bentley was informed of the allocation by Shaun Donovan, Secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

CONGRESSMAN BACHUS WARNS OF TAXPAYER RISK POSED BY HOUSING AGENCY

Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) today said that U.S. taxpayers are being put at risk by yet another troubled federal housing finance agency.

Alabama Real Estate Developer Charged with Illegally Filling Protected Mississippi Wetlands

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 9, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- William R. “Rusty” Miller, a real estate developer from Fairhope, Ala., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Jackson, Miss., for the unpermitted filling of wetlands near Bay St. Louis, Miss., in violation of the Clean Water Act, announced U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi Gregory K. Davis and Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Governor Bentley Calls Special Election for House District 34

MONTGOMERY - August 22, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced the timeline for a special election to fill the District...

Governor Bentley Appoints Elwyn Thomas as Executive Director of Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission

MONTGOMERY - August 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced that State Representative Elwyn Thomas has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission effective September 1, 2012. Thomas currently represents House District 34 in Jefferson and Blount Counties and has served in the Alabama Legislature for 15 years.

HUD CHARGES OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF ALABAMA MOBILE HOME PARK WITH DISCRIMINATING AGAINST AFRICAN...

WASHINGTON, DC - August 8, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is charging the owners and managers of Heritage Point Mobile Home Park in Montgomery, Alabama, with violating the Fair Housing Act for refusing to rent a lot in the park to an African American family and employing a policy of excluding African Americans. HUD charged Lawrence at Lakewood, LLC, and Lawrence Properties, Inc., which own and manage Heritage Point and other mobile home parks in Alabama and Georgia; Michael Lawrence, CEO of both companies; and William Bounds, district supervisor for four mobile home parks, including Heritage Point

Shelby Calls on Committee to Move Commonsense Housing Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 28, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, ranking Republican on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today made the following statement at a hearing to examine the state of the housing market.

VA Awards Nearly $350,000 to Alabama Veterans Home

WASHINGTON, DC - February 27, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- To ensure the Alabama Veterans home in Alexander City remains a comfortable and safe residence for Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding nearly $350,000 for improvements to the kitchen at the state-run facility.

Shelby: Banking Committee Must Fill Leadership Vacuum on Housing Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today made the following statement at a Committee hearing on the state of the housing market