FHA HELPS 400,000 FAMILIES FIND MORTGAGE RELIEF

(HUD) - WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced that 400,000 families have refinanced their mortgages with HUD’s affordable mortgage insurance program. Since expanding its refinance program in September 2007, HUD’sFederal Housing Administration (FHA) has helped more distressed homeowners keep their homes by utilizing FHA’s safe and affordable mortgage financing. FHA refinancing is on pace to help 500,000 families by the end of this year.

“Thanks to FHA’s expanded programs, hundreds of thousands of families now have peace of mind knowing they have a stable, more affordable mortgage,” said Preston. “Today, we are proud to say that FHA has helped more than 400,000 struggling families keep their homes while also creating greater liquidity in the mortgage market.”

Since its creation in 1934, FHA has helped more than 35 million families become homeowners. Nationwide, the number of mortgages insured by FHA was nearly three times higher in the third quarter of calendar year 2008, compared to the same time last year. By requiring full income and employment documentation, FHA products are underwritten to ensure borrowers have the ability to repay the loan. FHA also continues to offer unprecedented loss mitigation assistance to homeowners. FHA’s loss mitigation efforts have helped about 300,000 families keep their homes over the last three years.

Timeline: Expanding FHA’s Refinance Program to Help Families Stay in Their Homes

* August 2007 - President Bush launches a new initiative at HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) called FHASecure to help hundreds of thousands of struggling homeowners - especially low-income families and minorities - avoid foreclosure. This product expanded FHA's ability to offer refinancing to homeowners who have good credit histories, but cannot afford their mortgage payments after their teaser rates reset.

* May 2008 - FHA helps 200,000 families refinance their mortgages since September 2007.

* July 2008 - FHA expands FHA Secure to help homeowners with adjustable rate subprime mortgages who can no longer afford their mortgages and missed up to three monthly mortgage payments over the past 12 months. Rather than go into foreclosure, eligible borrowers can refinance with FHA and lenders can voluntarily write down the outstanding subprime mortgage principal balances.

* August 2008 - FHA helps 300,000 families refinance their mortgages since September 2007.

* October 2008 - HUD launches the HOPE for Homeowners program to refinance mortgages for eligible borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, but, after a write-down in principal, can afford a new loan insured by HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

* October 2008 - FHA helps 400,000 families refinance their mortgages since September 2007.

15 Gang Members Convicted on Conspiracy, Weapons Possession, Firearms Trafficking Charges Case Follows Recent Convictions of 137th Street Crew and East Harlem Narcotics Trafficking Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the results of the investigation and prosecution of one of Central Harlem’s most destructive criminal street gangs, referred to as “ONE TWENTY-NINE” or “GOODFELLAS/THE NEW DONS,” which terrorized the neighborhood surrounding West 129th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Thirteen members of the gang have previously pleaded guilty to importing, possessing, and using firearms over the course of the conspiracy.

The Myth, The Matrix, and The Malpractice: Unpacking the Sophia Stewart Saga

The internet loves a good underdog story, especially one where a lone creator battles Hollywood giants. Few tales have captivated online forums and social media quite like that of Sophia Stewart, the woman who famously sued the creators of The Matrix and The Terminator, claiming they stole her work, "The Third Eye." Her story is a complex tapestry woven with claims of stolen genius, judicial conflicts, and attorney negligence. Let's untangle the legal facts from the compelling narrative and examine the heart of her claims. The Core Allegation: "The Third Eye" and the Blockbusters Sophia Stewart alleged that her copyrighted manuscript, "The Third Eye," conceived in 1981 and finalized in 1983, was the blueprint for two of the most iconic sci-fi franchises: The Terminator (first film 1984) and The Matrix (first film 1999). From her perspective, the similarities were undeniable. Stewart’s supporters often point to broad, impactful themes and ev...

Charlie Kirk Was Right, and Charlie Kirk Was Wrong: The Enduring Legacy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, has argued that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was unnecessary, contending that the 14th Amendment should have been sufficient to guarantee equal rights. There's a compelling argument to be made for both sides of this statement. Let's break down where Kirk was right and, more importantly, where historical context reveals he was profoundly wrong. Where Charlie Kirk Was "Right" (In Theory) Kirk's theoretical point hinges on the idea that fundamental constitutional principles, if interpreted and enforced correctly, should have negated the need for additional legislation. And, in a perfect world, he would be correct. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, explicitly states that "no State shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The intent was to ensure all citizens, particularly newly freed African Americans, were treated equally under the law. If this ...

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