REALTORS® Hill Day*
January 21, 2010

All you need to qualify for a scholarship is:
• This will be the first time you have attended.
• You have the interest & desire to spend the day learning about your government.
• You are a current paid member of TCRA
• Recipients must attend January 20, 2010 pre hill meeting, the meeting after hill visits and the Government Affairs meeting after Hill Day 2010.(last Friday of each month, 9am)

Submit your name today to TCRA 360-491-3910
(Prior to December 31, 2010)

________________________________________________________________________
Name

________________________________________________________________________
Office

Contact Number
Tentative Schedule January 21, 2010
Registration Opens
General Session
Local Association Caucuses
Luncheon
Hill Visits
Debriefing Caucuses
Legislative Reception
* Hill Day: during the Legislative Session, Washington REALTORS® members meet together for a day of political education on the current issues effecting their lives and businesses. They visit their Legislators to discuss these issues and share their thoughts.
* Cost of Registration (Only for 1/21/10 event) will be reimbursed with proof of attendance. Please register online at www.warealtor.org.

We have sent a notification to all Washington REALTOR Brokers and we are preparing a public awareness campaign that we can launch as soon as the bill becomes law. We will keep you posted on that campaign. Attached are some Frequently Asked Questions prepared by NAR.

House and Senate pass Homebuyer Tax Credit
Update as of 12:30pm 11/5/09

The House passed the Tax Credit [ within the Unemployment Benefits bill] by a vote of 403-12. It now goes to the President for signature, as early as Friday.

Notice from yesterday….
The US Senate voted 98-0 to pass the Homebuyer Tax Credit [within the Unemployment Bill]. It now goes to the House. We expect the House to pass the bill as well and it could go to the President for signature within the week.

Passage of this bill would be wonderful news for the real estate industry in Washington. In essence, the bill extends the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit through April 30, 2010 and provides a $6,500 credit to new purchasers who have lived in their current residence for five or more years.

According to Senator Patty Murray, “Extending and expanding the successful homebuyer’s tax credit will help families purchase homes and will provide a much needed boost to the local housing market”.
Download Bill Details

Thank you REALTORS for contacting your Senator and urging them to support this bill. Over 25 percent of our members responded to the call to action and helped push this bill through the Senate. Washington REALTORS are preparing a public relations plan to promote the extension if/when the bill becomes law.

NAR Frequently Asked Questions
Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes
National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Division
500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20001
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit
Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.
Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a
new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and
am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If
President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for
the new $6500 tax credit?
Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment (when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.
Question: I am a firsttime homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I
entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered,
however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the
time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?
Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill.
The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase,
which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement,
you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you’re within the phaseout
range).
Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I
have found a home with a nonnegotiable price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any
of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an absolute ceiling.
Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting
since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the
other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000
and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in
the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and
occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The
keyword here is “consecutive.” As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he
did since 3 years doesn’t impact eligibility.
Question: I am an eligible firsttime homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on
November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the
extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contractAnswer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as
if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30
(or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit.

The about address will give you a video, in Spanish, please feel free to down load and use.

THIS 3 HOUR CLASS WILL COVER:

• Methods of Foreclosure – Judicial vs. Non-Judicial
• Statutes that govern foreclosures
• Timeframes
• Lien priority & elimination
• The role of the Trustee and Title Company
• Pitfalls of buying properties at the auction
• Alternatives to Foreclosure – Short Sale, Forbearance, Loan Modification
• Other issues – Bankruptcy, Insurance claims, Homeowner’s Association Liens

Location: TCRA Building, 510 Stoll Rd
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Time: 1pm-4pm
Cost: $30
RSVP: 360-350-6760

Limited seating, call now to RSVP your spot!!

Kathy Powell and Kami Clark
First American Title

Thurston County REALTORS® Association
2009AWARD NOMINATIONS

It’s Time to Nominate Someone Special For

“REALTOR® of the Year”
“REALTOR® Special Achievement Award”
“Affiliate of the Year”
“Citizen of the Year”
“Long Time REALTOR® Spirit”
“REALTOR® Community Service”
“Partner of the Year”

The Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the above awards. Take a moment now to nominate someone you feel deserves special recognition for a job well done. All you need to do is fill out the information below and return to the Association office. The recommendation will then be turned over to the Awards Committee for further consideration.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE THE BELOW LISTED PERSONS FOR THE FOLLOWING AWARDS

REALTOR® OF THE YEAR
Nominees reflecting REALTOR spirit and professionalism, activity in civic affairs, activity in local association, activity in State Association, National Association, and overall business accomplishments.(Must be a member in good standing for at least 5 years.)

Name of Nominee:_________________________________________Firm Name:___________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REALTOR® SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nominees selected for REALTOR spirit and professionalism, extra ordinany effort on a REALTOR committee or task force, activity in civic affairs, activity in local board, educational courses attended and designations earned, and business accomplishments.(must be active member in good standing for a minimum of 18 months)

Name of Nominee:________________________________________Firm Name:______________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:_________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR
Nominees selected for contributions toward activity in local association, and encouragement of professionalism, promotion of REALTOR projects/activities, business accomplishments, and activity in civic affairs.

Name of Nominee:_______________________________________Firm Name:______________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:_________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

RETURN BY November 16, 2009
Thurston County REALTORS® Association
510 Stoll Road, Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 491-3910 FAX (360) 491-1347 Email: TCR@thurstoncountyrealtors.org

LONG TIME REALTOR® SPIRIT
Nominees selected for REALTOR spirit and professionalism, continuing over a long period ot time, accumulative activity in civic affairs, accumulative activity in local board, designations earned, and business accomplishments.

Name of Nominee:________________________________________Firm Name:______________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:_________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Nominees reflecting community spirit and professionalism, contributions with regard to our industry, activity in civic affairs, activity in local association, and overall business accomplishments.

Name of Nominee:_________________________________________Firm Name:___________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
Nominees selected for contributions toward activity in local board and encouragement of professionalism, business accomplishments, educational courses attended, and activity in civic affairs.(member in good standing and active in real estate related industry for a minimum of 18 months)

Name of Nominee:_______________________________________Firm Name:______________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:_________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

REALTOR® COMMUNITY SERVICE
Nominees selected for contributions toward activity in civic affairs and activity in local association.

Name of Nominee:_______________________________________Firm Name:______________________________________________

Reasons why you feel this person should be considered:_________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

RETURN BY November 16, 2009
Thurston County REALTORS® Association
510 Stoll Road, Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 491-3910 FAX (360) 491-1347 Email: TCR@thurstoncountyrealtors.org

Now is the time to look back over the past year and remember the great job(s) your fellow REALTORS® have taken part in or done for the Real Estate industry and/or for our growing community of Thurston County

Thurston County Environmental Health

Septic System Repair

Financial Assistance

Program

Loans and grants are available to Thurston County

homeowners to

failing septic systems.

fi nance the repair or replacement of

Eligibility

1. Property must be located in Thurston

County.

2. Property owner must apply for the loan (renters

cannot apply for loans).

3. Septic system must be failing, which means

sewage is surfacing outside, backing up into the

house, or a Marine Shoreline Repair (see below).

Thurston County Environmental Health will

verify the eligibility of all systems.

4. House must not be for sale.

5. Repair cannot be used for remodeling,

expansion or addition, nor can additional living

units be connected to the system.

6. Loans/grants may be used to connect to public

sewer.

Loans

Any Thurston County homeowner with a failing

septic system may apply for a low-interest loan.

• Loan interest rates are from 1% to 3.5% for

qualified applicants. Interest rate is

determined by the income of the applicant and

the cost of the repair or sewer connection.

• There is no loan origination fee, and the repayment

term can be up to 20 years.

• The loan is secured by a promissory note and

deed of trust (creating a mortgage on the

property).

• A credit report, tax history check, and title

search will be completed for all applications.

• Loans must be repaid by the homeowner.

Before the property can be sold or transferred,

the loan must be paid off.

Grants

Grants are available for Marine Shoreline Repairs

or for homeowners with limited incomes.

does not have to be repaid.

a portion of the total cost of system replacement. Grant

awards can range from $1,000 to $6,000, and are based

on a percentage of the repair cost.

A grantNOTE: Grants cover only

To be eligible for a grant:

1. Repair must be one that requires a County permit

( or city permit if connection to sewer),

AND

2. Estimated repair cost must be at least $2,000,

AND

3. One of the following:

• Owner’s gross annual income is $40,000 or less,

• Owner is enrolled in the senior or disabled tax

exemption by County Treasurer, or

• Repair quali

fi es as a Marine Shoreline Repair.

Marine Shoreline Repair

Marine Shoreline Repair includes the following:

• Any septic system failure on a marine waterfront

property

• Biomax or other obsolete system that no

longer has manufacturer support

• Septic systems located less than 50 ft from a

marine shoreline that cannot properly treat

sewage

• Seepage pit on property next to the marine

shoreline

How Do I Apply or Get More Info?

Contact Debra Baker at 360-754-3355, ext. 7521

(TDD line at 360-754-2933) to verify your eligibility

and get a loan application.

Submit your loan application and last year’s federal

tax return to the Thurston County

Permit Assistance Center (PAC),

2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia,

WA 98502, attention: Debra Baker,

Environmental Health Division.

The ‘Right Tools, Right Now’ initiative offers a wide range of tools. Here are just three of the many resources you can now download for FREE through NAR’s ‘Right Tools, Right Now’ initiative.

Getting It Sold

Get the staging conversation going with your seller and help them sell faster.
Order your copy for FREE

Relocation Reports

Win relocation clients before they ever visit your area.
Order your copy for FREE

2009 Member Profile

Find out what members like you are doing in this changing market.
Order your copy for FREE

Visit ‘Right Tools, Right Now’ homepage to see all FREE and AT-COST products and resources that are part of NAR’s ‘Right Tools, Right Now’ initiative. Listings are updated monthly, so check back often!

These special product prices are exclusively available to REALTORS®. To access these and the hundreds of other downloadable products for FREE, member login is required at the REALTOR.org website.

Members love ‘Right Tools, Right Now’ – click here to view a short 3 minute video showing how some have benefitted.

If you don’t know your login, click here or call NAR’s Information Central at 1-800-874-6500.

If you haven’t downloaded an eProduct before, click here to find out how, or call NAR’s Information Central at 1-800-874-6500.

What Buyer’s Representatives Need to Know

Don’t Miss Another Short Sales & Foreclosures Tour!
For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures represent the new “traditional” real estate transaction. Knowing how to maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as how to identify the distinct real estate opportunities in foreclosure are not merely good skills to have in today’s market-they are critical. This course helps students evaluate all available options for distressed homeowners and identify the components of an effective short-sale package. This course looks at how real estate professionals can counsel buyer-clients in the purchase of foreclosure properties. An as a practical resource, this course shows students how consumers can avoid foreclosure in the future. The Short Sales and Foreclosure course counts as one REBAC elective course to be applied towards the ABR designation and also offers 7.5 clock hours for renewal. The course goes from 8:30am to 5pm except the course in Tacoma goes from 9am to 5pm and the schedule is as follows:

September 1st @ Silverdale Beach Hotel in Silverdale

September 2nd @ Washington REALTORS in Olympia

September 3rd @ Tacoma Assoc. of REALTORS in Tacoma

Instructor: Pili Meyer, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, e- Pro

Pili Meyer is a full time associate broker with Coldwell Banker Uptown Realty in Port Angeles, WA. She has been licensed since 1986 and an instructor since 1994. She is a consistently effective agent and loves the fact that there are so many different aspects of the business. Her experience-and success–in the trenches bring a reality and relevance to the classes she teaches. As a Master Instructor in Washington and Oregon, she is in demand as a speaker at state conventions around the country. Besides being a top producer in real estate in Port Angeles, Pili has been active in the Realtor® Association. She is a past president of the Washington Realtors® and currently serves as a National Association of Realtors® Director. She has been named Realtor® of the Year by her local association and Washignton Realtors. In 1999, she was named Hugh Hawkins Instructor of the Year in Washington. She has also been honored by the Soroptimist International of Port Angeles with their Woman of Distinction award.

For more information or to register contact Washington REALTORS® Education at 800.748.7053 or CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!

Our Price:
REALTOR Early Price $75/$99 REALTOR Regular Price
Non-Member Early Price $99/$129 Non-Member Regular Price

Early Price is 10 days before the class starts
Regular Price will be charged if register within 10 days of the class starting

Washington REALTORS® Education

phone: 1.800.748.7053

web: http://www.warealtor.org/education

August 2009

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington

Martha Dilts, Region X Deputy Director     206/220-5356       Leland Jones, Editor

REFINING REFI’S

  HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan has announced that, by August 15th, FHA insured borrowers will be able to seek a Making Homes Affordable loan modification and “significantly reduce their monthly mortgage payments.”In guidelines released on July 30th under authority of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, lenders and servicers are expected to use partial claims to defer the payment of some amount of outstanding mortgage principal through an interest-fee, subordinate mortgage that does not come due until the first mortgage is paid off.  FHA also will pay an incentive to loan servicers for every FHA loan modified under the program.  Bringing this “important tool to the table,” says the Secretary will enable FHA borrowers “to modify their mortgages in the same manner as so many others who are taking advantage” of the program.  For more, read FHA Mortgagee Letter 09-ML-23  at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=73,7774665&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

DON’T FHA-GET!

HUD Seattle,, FHA’s Santa Ana Homeownership Center and the Washington Mortgage Lenders are holding a 3-day FHA Lenders Update from September 15th to 17th in Sea-Tac.  It’ll give you everything you need to know – and more – about FHA underwriting, processing, appraising and making FHA work for your firm and your customers.  Register on-line at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/events/swa091509.pdf

* * * NEWS TO MUSE * * *

    HUD USER has announced that the proposed Fiscal Year 2010 Fair Market Rents to be published in The Federal Register on August 4th already are on-line at www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr.html. 

BRIEF BRIEFS

 Low Income Housing Institute and Enterprise Community Partners celebrates grand opening of the 49-unit, HUD-assisted Bart Harvey, a residence for low-income disabled or homeless 62 and older in Seattle. . .USDA awards $5.3 million to Priest River, Idaho and  $9.5 million to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure. . .Community Frameworks breaks ground for 30 town homes in Spokane. . .American Institute of Architects selects Green Lake Residence in Seattle as one of 20, 2009 Small Project Award winners that succeed “no matter the limits of size and scope”. . .Maggie LaMont named chair of the Oregon State Housing Council, succeeding a retiring Larry Medinger. . .King County Housing Authority wins 100 and Tacoma Housing Authority wins 50 family unification vouchers to reunite foster children with their families . . . Journal of Business reports Spokane United Methodist Homes to build 38-unit senior housing complex in Spokane Valley. . .Portland Bureau of Housing & Community Development wins a 2009 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Award. . .Idaho and Oregon associations of REALTORS among 25 groups to win Foreclosure Prevention & Response grants from the National Association of REALTORS. . .His Eminence Archbishop Alex Brunette offers blessings at the grand opening of the 56-unit Frederic Ozaman House and at the ground breaking for the 51-unit Monica’s Village Place, both in Seattle and both projects of the Archdiocesan Housing Authority. . .Saying she knows “how much of a challenge it is” to administer Housing Choice Voucher programs, “especially during a recession,” HUD Assistant Secretary for Public Housing Sandra Henriquez says HUD shortly will award remaining $11 million of $100 million set-aside as well as another $30 million to public housing agencies prevent the termination of families from program.

“HOME, SWEET (and HEALTHY) HOME”

 Boise is the place to be September 15th to 17th if you’re committed to making houses as healthy as they can be for those who call them “home.”  Among the featured speakers at this year’s Idaho Healthy Homes Conference are Ruth Ann Norton of Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, Wesley Priem of the Michigan Department of Community Health, Eileen Gagney of the American Lung Association and Barbara Ross, EPA’s Regional Lead Coordinator.  For more, visit www.hud.gov/idaho 

THREE-PEAT?

 Befitting our climate, it “rained” revitalization last fall with the Bremerton, King County and Seattle housing authorities winning three of the six HOPE VI Public Housing Revitalization grants competitively awarded by HUD in 2008.  Can it happen again? We’ll see.  On July 14th, HUD Secretary Donovan announced the opening of the 2009 competition for $113 million in HOPE VI funds.  Saying it’s time “to take the lessons learned” from the 248 HOPE VI grants HUD’s already awarded, he also said extra points would be awarded to applications that promote green development and energy efficiency and to applications that implement a “comprehensive, high-quality, results-oriented earl education program”  Applications are due November 17th.

 .

WELCOME.

 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has named Jim Norlund, owner of Norland Carpentry in Anchorage and the former Director of Public Assistance for the State of Alaska, as director of USDA Rural Development in Alaska, Wallace Hendrick, former general manager of Esco Supply, as director of USDA Rural Development in Idaho and Mario Villanueva, director of Catholic Charities Housing Services in Yakima, as USDA Rural Development in Washington.

INVET-MENT

 HUD will be providing an additional 650 rental housing vouchers for homeless veterans served by Department of Veterans Affairs medical clinics and hospitals in American Lake, Anchorage, Boise, Portland, Roseburg, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Walla Walla and White City.  The new vouchers are over and above the 450 vouchers for homeless veterans that HUD awarded to Northwest housing authorities under the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.  The vouchers, said HUD Secretary Donovan, will provide those who “have put their lives on the line” permanent housing and, in collaboration with local Continuums of Care, “critically needed supportive services.”

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO

HUD awards almost $5.5 million in Recovery Act funds under the Tax Credit Assistance Program to help “jump start” stalled affordable housing projects in Alaska. . .Urban League of Portland releases State of Black Oregon report that finds “ black Oregonians remain at or near the bottom of every meaningful social and economic measure”. . ..Yakima Habitat for Humanity celebrates 25 years and 126 homes worth of service to the community. . .Twin Falls selected as Idaho’s 21st Heritage City for “protecting” historic properties. . .Former Long & Foster Companies President and CEO David Stevens sworn in as Federal Housing Administration Commissioner. . .HUD okays $23 million loan to build 25-unit hospital to replace one almost 50 years old in Grand Coulee. . .Looking Glass – a Eugene group that helps homeless young people but was itself made homeless by fire – has returned to its old home, now newly-rebuilt. . . Washington State Housing Finance Corporation proposes to allocate Recovery Act funds under Tax Credit Assistance Program to eight projects to provide 456 units of affordable housing in Centralia, Graham, Renton, Seattle, Spokane, Toppenish and Yakima that have been stalled or adversely affected by the economic downturn. . .Saying they’ll “not only help our vulnerable neighbors” but also “create well-paying jobs,” Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announces award of $8.1 million to rehabilitate nearly 200 units of housing for low-income seniors and to build 70 units of workforce housing. . .Work is well underway on 36-unit Adams Square Family Center that will “greatly expand” the Tacoma Rescue Mission’s efforts to give needy women and families an opportunity to live happy, productive lives”. . .Spokane Urban Ministries celebrates grand opening of 47-unit Walnut Corners. . .HUD competitively awards $18.3 million in Indian Housing Block Grant and Indian Community Development Block Grant funds under the Recovery Act to Chilkoot Indian Association, Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Akiachak Native Community, and Yakutat Tlingit Tribe in Alaska; Coeur d’Alene Tribal Housing Authority in Idaho; the Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Tribe and Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in Oregon; and the Kalispel Tribe, the Cowlitz Tribal Housing Authority and the Suquamish Tribe in Washington.

FROM FEAR TO FAVOR

 How things change.  “The vision of farm worker housing connotes certain stereotypes for some people,  Hacienda Community Development Corporation executive director Pietro Ferrari recently told The Portland Oregonian.  “That’s what we were up against” three years ago when it unveiled plans to build a 24-unit complex for farm workers and their families in Molalla. “The best we hoped for was indifference.”  But now that the award-winning and “green” Plaza Los Robles is up and occupied, “the city’s fear of farm worker housing,” The Oregonian noted, have melted “into pride.”  In fact, it notes, when housing developers come to town looking for sites, city officials “routinely suggest” a drive by the complex as “a perfect example,” said planning director Shane Potter, “of the sorts of projects we’d like to see more of here.”  It has become, added the City Manager John Atkins, “a real community asset,” introducing a lot of Molalla residents to “families who are earning a living, buying groceries and hardware and supporting this town.”

SPEAKING OF WHICH. . .

Oregon Housing & Community Services has announced that, between now and December 31st, it will accept applications for $2.3 million in remaining tax credits to “construct, acquire and/or rehabilitate” housing for low or very low income farm workers.  For more, contact Loren Schulz 503/986-2008.

QUOTE TO NOTE

 “If you haven’t been to Mountain View lately you ought to pay it a visit and see what a great job Cook Inlet Housing Authority has been doing to build new homes and clean up an old neighborhood.” – Mike Jens in July 29th Anchorage Daily News after  “a few of us decided to jump on our bicycles and, in the spirit of the Tour de France,” did “our own Tour de Anchorage.”.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE

 HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims spends a day in Portland, meeting with local officials and partners and touring Central City Concern’s 24-unit Taggart Manor which is slated to receive CDBG funds under the Recovery Act to save energy and cut water consumption. . .Daily Bee reports Bonner Community Housing Agency and Planet Construction have launched partnership to build at least 10 affordable homeownership units in Seven Sisters area of Kootenai County using USDA’s Section 502 program for financing. . .Downtown Emergency Services Center breaks ground in Seattle for the 83-unit Canaday House, its eighth Housing First complex for chronically homeless men and women. . .Seattle Housing Authority and City’s Office of Housing announce plans to award 50 project-based rental vouchers to non-profits to “subsidize replace housing for units that were demolished during the redevelopment of the High Point community”. . . 31 “Bike & Build” college students from Virginia “take a break” from their 3,900 cross-country ride to help Habitat for Humanity build a house in Idaho Falls. . .University of Oregon head men’s basketball coach Ernie Kent and players attend dedication ceremony for new basketball court at Village Oaks complex in Eugene. . .More than 500 at-risk homeowners sit down with lenders and housing counselors at Foreclosure Prevention Workshops in Everett, Seattle and Tacoma. . . KMVT-TV reports that “dozens of students” from College of Southern Idaho’s Abriendo Caminos program spend three days preparing housing in Twin Falls’ El Milagro neighborhood for top-to-bottom paint jobs. . .Seattle Housing Authority to use Recovery Act funds to transform first floor of Jefferson Terrace into respite care center to allow Public Health-Seattle & King County to provide homeless “a safe place to heal after being treated and discharged from local hospitals”. . .Keystone Apartments in Spokane opens Neighborhood Networks computer centers. . .American Planning Association sets September 9th deadline t apply for HUD Secretary’s Opportunity & Empowerment Award.

MAKING HISTORY

 The Medford Mail-Tribune reports that Tim Ellis, an appliance salesman, is the very first Oregonian to receive a grant through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program to buy a foreclosed property.   “I was happy I found a suitable house in the right neighborhood” for his wife Tan and 2-year-old son Michael.  “We’re pretty excited,” he said, adding that the grant will reduce his monthly payments by about $200.  The NSP program was created to help cities deal with upticks in abandoned and foreclosed properties.  Medford is receiving $459,200 under the program, about a third of which will go to buyers earning 50 percent or less of the area’s median income.  The balance will go to those earning up to 120 percent of median.  While Ellis is excited, he’s also a little nervous.  “I thought, “Holy cow!  I’m buying a foreclosure,” he said.  “What do I do now?”  But thanks to an A-B-C’s of Homebuying class, he’s got a good idea.  “Fix it up!”  Since the program requires him to live in the house for five years to gain full equity, looks like he’ll have plenty of weekends to do exactly that.

SAVING HISTORY

 First impressions matter. That’s why the City of Nampa decided in 2006 to use part of its CDBG funding from HUD to restore the facades of buildings in its historic district.  The program’s brought “downtown back to life,” says The Idaho Post Tribune, citing increased traffic in  businesses that have had face-lifts.  It’s also won awards for Nampa from the Association of Idaho Cities and Preservation Idaho.  “It’s pretty amazing that people have put the time and money into these properties that otherwise would be neglected,” says Dan Everhart of Preservation Idaho.  Amazing?  Yes.  Smart, too, which is why the City has allocated even more CDBG funds to restore even more historic buildings.

CONGRATS

 To William Rainford, associate professor of social work at Boise State University, for being selected – from a pool of 260,000 candidates – as Catholic Charities USA 2009 Volunteer of the Year.  The volunteer effort “closest to his heart”?  The Interfaith Sanctuary in Boise, a shelter built “with help from many volunteers across many faiths,” tells The Idaho Statesman.  His “most urgent” local priority?  “Legislation to promote mobile home tenants.”  Why does he volunteer?  “It’s a ministry for me.”

FUNDING-MENTALS

 August 1st deadline to apply for Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle Affordable Housing Program funds. . .August 3rd deadline to apply for IRS grants to provide training “to volunteers” who offer “free tax counseling and assistance to elderly individuals in the preparation of their Federal tax returns”. . .August 7th deadline to apply for HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant program. . .August 7th deadline to apply for HUD Hispanic Serving Institution Assisting Communities grants. . .August 7th deadline to apply for HUD Doctoral Dissertation grants. . .August 11th deadline to apply for HUD Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program grants. . .August 14th deadline to apply for USDA Rural Utilities Service and National Telecommunications & Information Administration grants and loans to deploy broadband infrastructure in rural and underserved areas. . .September 4th deadline to apply for Department of Labor Energy Training Partnership grants. . .September 14th deadline to apply for EPA Indoor Air Pollutant Reduction grants. . .September 18th deadline to apply for HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants. . .September 18th deadline to apply for HUD Resident Opportunity & Self Sufficiency (ROSS) grants. . .September 24th deadline to apply for USDA Rural Community Development Initiative grants. . .September 29th deadline to apply for Department of Labor Pathways Out of Poverty renewable energy training grants. . .November 17th deadline to apply for HUD HOPE VI Public Housing Revitalization grants.

COMING UP

 Webinar on the A-B-C’s of FHA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage.  Register on-line at www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.addRegisterEvent&eventId=148&update=N

HUD & Housing Assistance Council hold “Building Rural Communities with CHDOS” workshop in Boise, August 5th and 6th. Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=id&record=9532&scheduleID=9293&calendarID=16

 Annual conference of Pacific Northwest Lenders Association in Blaine, August 9th to 12th.  Visit www.pnmlc.com/pnmlcsemi/htdocs/index.php

Alaska Municipal League holds annual conference in Palmer, August 12th to 14th.  Visit www.akml.org/conferences.html

 HUD Seattle hosts Federal Labor Standards training for public, tribal and tribally-designated housing authorities, August 17th, Seattle.  Register on-line at  www.hud.gov/emarc/ 

 HUD Portland hosts Federal Labor Standards training for housing authorities, August 19th, Portland.  Register on-line at http://www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.addRegisterEvent&eventId=173&update=N

 Washington Affordable Housing Management Association holds annual conference, August 20th to 21st, Bremerton.  Visit www.ahma-wa.org/

HUD Seattle hosts Federal Labor Standards training for CDBG and HOME grantees, August 24th, Seattle.  Register on-line at www.hud.gov/emarc/ 

HUD Spokane hosts Fair Housing Act workshop, September 2nd, Spokane. Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=8907&scheduleID=8668&calendarID=52

HUD Seattle hosts Recovery Act Update teleconference for faith- and community-based organizations, September 9th.  To participate, please contact Leland.jones@hud.gov

HUD Idaho hosts “Taking Faith & Community-Based Organizations to the Next Level” workshop in Pocatello, September 11th.  For more, contact brian.dale@hud.gov

HUD Seattle, FHA Santa Ana Homeownership Center and Washington Mortgage Lenders Association host three-day FHA Lender Update, September 15th to 17th, SeaTac.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=9727&scheduleID=9488&calendarID=52

 Idaho Healthy Homes Conference, September 15th to 17th, Boise.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=id&record=9658&scheduleID=9419&calendarID=16

 Annual Conference of Alaska Association of REALTORS, September 15th to 19th, Fairbanks.  Visit  www.alaskarealtors.com/convention/convention.htm

 Idaho Association of REALTORS Business Conference & Expo, September 16th to 20th, Coeur d’Alene.  Visit www.idahorealtors.com/Default.aspx?page=events

 16th annual Housing Washington affordable housing conference, September 29th & 30th, Spokane.  Visit http://www.wshfc.org/conf/

 HUD & EPA host Northwest Children’s Environmental Health Forum & Expo in Tukwila, October 1st & 2nd.  Visit http://www.chenw.org/CEHforum.html

 84th Annual League of Oregon Cities Conference, October 1st to 3rd, Portland.  Visit http://www.orcities.org/Conference/tabid/806/language/en-US/Default.aspx 

 Northwest Environmental Business Council hosts Brownfields Redevelopment Conference, October 14th & 15th, Tacoma.  Visit  www.nebc.org

 Idaho Housing & Finance Association hosts 2009 Idaho Housing Conference, October 19th & 20th, Boise.  Visit http://www.2009housingconf.com/

 Association of Idaho Cities hosts Idaho Energy & Green Building Conference, October 21st to 23rd, Boise. Visit http://www.idahocities.org/

* * * *

Golf Team Registration Form

Registration:  Team Captains to check in at Capitol City Golf Course 7:30 a.m. Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. (scramble format). 

Fee: $75.00 per TCRA member, $85.00 for non-TCRA members.

Includes your green fee, golf cart and lunch.  Each team consists of a Captain (TCRA member) and three players. Full payment MUST be made upon             registration. First come, first serve.

Mulligan: $5 a piece (unlimited amount) or one $10 Long-Drive Mulligan

Lunch Only:  $18.00. Come even if you don’t play!  Advance prepaid reservations MUST be in by Monday September 7th.

Reserve Your Team Early—Payment Must Be Turned in With Registration!

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 144 PLAYERS

GOLFERS

1. Captain_____________________________   Company______________________________________

2. Player______________________________   Company______________________________________

3. Player______________________________   Company______________________________________

4. Player______________________________   Company______________________________________

Make checks payable to TCRA and deliver or mail to:

Thurston County Association of REALTORS

510 Stoll Rd, Olympia, WA 98503

Checks, Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Please call Randy Reynolds at Reynolds Real Estate @ 360-412-6731

or email questions to info@reynoldsrealestate.net

Friday September 11, 2009

July 2009

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington

Martha Dilts, Region X Deputy Director        206/220-5356       Leland Jones, Editor

JUMP START

Hoping to “jump start affordable housing construction,” HUD Secretary Donovan has announced the award of $8.3 million to Idaho, $27.3 million to Oregon and $43 million to Washington under the Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) established by the Recovery Act.    One by-product of the nation’s financial crisis has been reduced investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credits that provide incentive for investors to provide private capital to developers of multi-family rental housing for lower-income families. HUD;s awarding the TCAP funds by formula to state housing finance agencies – Idaho Housing & Finance Association, Oregon Housing & Community Services and the Washington Housing Finance Commission –to enable them re-start stalled, but qualified housing  To maximize job creation, priority will be given to projects that can begin immediately and be completed by February 16, 2012. The TCAP award to Alaska is expected to be announced shortly.

* * * NEWS FLASH * * *

    HUD Secretary Donovan announces that the refinance option under the Making Homes Affordable program will be expanded to borrowers who are current but are up to 125 percent “under water” with their Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac- guaranteed mortgages.  Previously, the option was open to those 100 percent “under water.”  For more, visit http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr09-104.cfm

FHA COMES TO PORTLAND

As of May 31^st, FHA was on its way to issuing a record number of mortgage endorsements in 2009.  Want to find out why so many lenders, REALTORS and buyers are turning to FHA to buy a home or refinance a mortgage?  Attend a free, one-day FHA Update with presentations by FHA’s Santa Ana Homeownership Center on Wednesday, July 15^th at The Nines Hotel in Portland.  For more, visit http://www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=9652&scheduleID=9413&calendarID=41 .

BRIEF BRIEFS

HUD Secretary Donovan announces creation of $312 million Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund to encourage states to “design forward-thinking” recovery plans cutting risk of death or damage in future disasters . . . Coeur d’Alene unveils “two-pronged” 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness . . . Earth Advantage Institute of Portland report says Energy Star or LEED certified homes sold for 9.7 percent more in Seattle and “3 to 5 percent” more in Portland than “non-green” houses. . . Street Roots establishes new Web site at www.rosecityresources.org to provide “most updated list of services and information for people living in crisis” in the greater Portland area. . .HUD awards 48 additional vouchers to Alaska Housing Finance Authority and 100 to King County Housing Authority for the non-elderly disabled. . .Catholic Charities Housing Services celebrates grand opening of Rose of Mary Terrace apartments for the elderly in Yakima. .. .Idaho Statesman says “more than 2,000 volunteers” turned out, “starting at sunrise,” to fix up 91 homes as part of Neighborhood Housing Service’s 27^th annual “paint the town” event in Boise. . ..Bend Habitat for Humanity celebrates 20 years and more than 70 homes worth of achievement. . .Labor Secretary Solis announces award of $7.6 million in YouthBuild grants to Anchorage, Bellingham, Bend, Corvallis, Everett, Medford, Olympia,  Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and Yakima  to assist “out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training in the construction industry.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The June 22^nd Federal Register noted that the 2009 Appropriations Act provided funding for 4,000 new Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly disabled families.  Some 1,000 of these vouchers, it adds, will go to non-elderly families transitioning out of nursing homes and other institutions into the community.”  To help “better design the distribution” of these vouchers, HUD would like to hear your comments about

“threshold factors used to distribute” the vouchers, “whether HUD should establish a more performance-based method” for distribution and how “State institutional transition programs” can “work effectively” with housing authorities receiving these vouchers. Comments due to HUD’s Office of Housing Choice Voucher Management & Operations by July 13th. For more, contact Phyllis.A.Smelkinson@hud.gov

.

IN YOUR BACK YARD.

Want to know the what, where and how much particulars of HUD Recovery Act spending in your back yard?  Visit  www.usda.gov/recovery/map. 

HOUSING TRUST

The Washington Housing Trust Fund has awarded more than $62 million for construction of 35 multi-family complexes in 17 counties across the state.  The projects will add or preserve some 1,100 housing units, with more than a third going to the elderly and 85 percent to households at 50 percent less of the area median income.  “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure we build something the community’s proud of,” Franklin County Board member Manterola told The Tri-City Herald.  The Bureau won $3.5 million to build a 96-bed facility for farm workers who, said The Herald, have “camped on state land” where they’ve “had conflicts with anglers and problems with waste disposal.”

SPEAKING OF WHICH. . .

The Oregon Department of Housing & Community Services has awarded nearly $26 million in grants, loans and tax credits for the construction or rehabilitation of 435 units of affordable housing for, said Deputy Director Rick Crager, “families whose living situations are jeopardized by the troubled economy.”  The projects in Ashland, Astoria, Cave Junction, Dallas, Eugene, Hood River, North Bend, Ontario, Portland, Rogue River, Roseburg, Springfield and Tigard, he added, provide “economic punch to inject important construction jobs into the Oregon economy.”

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO

City of Everett to host foreclosure intervention workshop at Cascade High School on Thursday, July 23^rd, City of Seattle and Urban League to host “tackling mortgage problems” workshop at Cleveland High School on Friday, July 24^th while City of Tacoma to hold “foreclosure intervention workshop” on Saturday, July 25^th at Tacoma campus of Evergreen College . . . FHA issues Mortgagee Letter 2009-19 establishing a new approval process condominium projects to insure mortgages on individual units effective for all case numbers on or after October 1^st, 2009. . . Master Builder Association of King & Snohomish Counties celebrates – on YouTube – the 100^th anniversary of the founding, in Seattle in 1909, of nation’s first homebuilder association. . .Treasury Department relaxes IRS restrictions that would prevent tribes from apply for and using $2 billion in tax-exempt bonds under the Recovery Act “for the same types of projects as states and local governments”. . .Washington Housing Finance tells Seattle Times that HUD housing counselors “helped 2,681 homeowners in the past 12 months, and all but 37 avoid foreclosure”. . .,Bellingham Herald reports on opening of City Gate in downtown Bellingham as permanent housing for “about two dozen” former inmates of the county jail with “mental health and drug problems”  who otherwise, says jail chief Wendy Jones, “revolve in and out, between the county jail, one of the hospitals or treatment centers and, primarily, the streets:. . . Portland State University’s Margaret Van Vilet named director of City’s Housing Bureau. . .U.S. News & World Report picks Bremerton-Silverdale, Corvallis and Anchorage as three of nation’s top 10 housing markets over next 10 years. . .Fairfield, Idaho, Battleground, Washington and Netarts and Myrtle Creek, both in Oregon, win $29.2 million from USDA Rural Development improve water and waste disposal systems. . .On July 26^th, Washington Community, Trade & Economic Development becomes the Washington Department of Commerce. . .HUD and American Planning Association set September 9^th as deadline to apply for 13^th annual Secretary’s Opportunity & Empowerment Awards.

EEM-PORTANT

In accordance with the Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008, on June 10^th FHA issued Mortgagee Letter 2009-18 eliminating the $8,000 cap on the amount of eligible energy-efficiency costs that can be added, through an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), to the base maximum FHA-insured mortgage.  The new limit is now the lesser of 5 percent of the value of the property or 115 percent of the median area price of a single family dwelling or 150 percent of the conforming Freddie Mac limit. Read the Letter at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=73,7774665&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

HOMEOWNER HELP

Saying “now, more than ever, it is crucial that American families make informed decisions,” HUD Secretary Donovan that HUD is now accepting applications for more than $58 million – up $11 million from last year – in housing counseling grants “to help families find and preserve housing.”  Awarded competitively to HUD-approved counseling agencies, $47 million will go for comprehensive counseling, $8 million for reverse mortgage counseling, $2 million for loan document review counseling and $1 million for fair lending and mortgage fraud counseling.  Applications are expected from 400 organizations and are due July 17^th.

ON WARD SELF SUFFICIENCY!

HUD has set August 11^th as the deadline for  public and Indian housing authorities to apply for $12 million in Public Housing Family Self Sufficiency grants.   The grants are awarded competitively to help public housing residents “to increase earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.”  Last year, 37 housing authorities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington won more than $3.6 million under the program. http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa09/grpphfss.cfm

GET THE LEAD OUT

HUD is now accepting applications, due July 20^th, for $69 million in Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control and $48 million in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration grants.  Applications are due July 20^th.  For more, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/09NOFA/leadcombo.cfm

QUOTE TO NOTE

“We’ve invited you here this week to see for yourselves how housing authorities across the country are using HOPE VI as a platform for innovation, building green and energy efficient affordable housing. You’ll learn about the New Columbia development in Portland, Oregon – how a complex originally designed to provide housing for defense workers during World War Two was transformed from a dilapidated, isolated public housing development into the vibrant mix of retail stores, apartments, townhomes, a public school, and senior housing it is today. You’ll hear how a dedicated rapid service bus line connects residents to a nearby light rail line and to downtown Portland, increasing access to jobs, services and opportunity. You’ll also hear how sustainable, green building has a clear connection to better health as well. Right now, we can predict morbidity rates and life expectancy by zip code. Zip code!  But as we saw at Seattle’s High Point development, an early commitment to building green can be a big part of rejecting that certainty for millions of children and lower costs in the long run. As High Point’s Breathe Easy Homes pilot program showed, by adding green features specifically designed to reduce asthma triggers, the number of asthma-free days increased, and mold—which often causes dangerous respiratory infections—was completely eliminated. With unplanned doctor’s visits declining as well, Seattle’s housing authority was able to reduce one of the strains on our health care system which drive premiums up for everyone.” – - HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan on June 25^th at the HOPE VI Green Building & Energy Efficient Development Conference in Washington, D.C.

GREEN un-BUILDING

Want to know how much 571 wood-frame houses weigh? Ask the Bremerton Housing Authority.  Because that’s how many World War II-era houses the Authority is demolishing as the first step in its HOPE VI revitalization of the West Park neighborhood.  The answer?  Almost 38,000 tons of old windows, floors and siding.  Of which, it’s worth noting, the Authority will recycle – and re-sell – all but 2,400 tons, cutting demolition costs by $138 a ton and saving the Authority $4.7 million.  Read all the nitty-greeny details at http://www.hud.gov/local/wa/news/2009-06-10.cfm

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE

Treasury Secretary Geithner announces award of $2 million each in Recovery Act Community Development Financial Institution funds to CASA of Oregon in Newberg and Albina Bancorporation in Portland to “increase lending in their target area”. . .Journal of Business says Federal Home Loan Bank of San $1.5 million to Spokane Housing Ventures towards purchase and expansion of Clare House complex for the elderly. . .Meridian high school students finish construction of their first “green” Habitat for Humanity house. . . Archbishop Alex J. Brunett of Seattle offers a blessing at the opening of Archdiocesan Housing Authority’s    Frederic Ozanam House , a 56-unit facility for chonically-homeless, elderly men. . .Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle launches competition at www.fhlbsea.com for $2.6 million in Affordable Housing Program funds “to acquire, construct, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing”. . .USDA Rural Development awards $ 815,000 in disaster relief funds to Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Neah Bay Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Land Trust and Port of Klickitat in Washington and Mercy Corps Northwest and CCD Development Corporation in Oregon. . .Washington State Bar Association launches telephone hotline – 1-877-894-4663 – staffed by 270 volunteer lawyers to help homeowners at risk of foreclosure have access to legal advice. . .Idaho Press Tribune says City of Nampa wins “orchid” from Preservation Idaho/Idaho Historic Preservation Council for its HUD-funded downtown façade renovation program. . .Cook Inlet Housing begins demolishing abandoned car wash in Anchorage that will be replaced by affordable, 12-unit Mountain View Lofts. . .Northwest Indian College on Lummi reservation near Bellingham confers the first 4-year degree in its 23-year history. . .KPVI-TV says town of Roberts gives “green light” to Eastern Idaho Community Action’s $2 million Lakeview Apartments that will house 23 farmworker families. . .More than 75 potential buyers attend City of Tacoma showcase of available vacant properties in East Tacoma neighborhood. . .Alaska Housing Finance okays $2.2 million loan to  Retirement Community of Fairbanks Inc. for 20-unit Raven Landing Apartments.

CONGRATS

To the cities of Hoquiam, Walla, Mont lake Terrace, Everett, Puyallup, Issaquah, Pasco, Richland and Kennewick and King, Benton and Franklin counties as winners of the 2009 Smart Communities Awards for “outstanding achievements” in growth management that, said Governor Chris Gregorian, “make Washington a great state in which to live and do business.”

CONGRATS TWO

To Corvallis, McMinnville, Salem, Bandon, Dayton, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, Medford, Philomath and Portland’s St. John’s Town Center for selection as Oregon’s newest Main Street communities.

FUNDING-MENTALS

July 10^th deadline to apply for USDA Rural Development Section 533 Housing Preservation grants. . .July 13^th deadline to apply for the Recovery Act’s Indian Housing Block Grant competition. . .July 17^th deadline to apply for Neighborhood Stabilization Program II grants to stabilize neighborhoods “damaged” by foreclosures and abandoned properties. . .July 17^th deadline to apply for HUD Housing Counseling grants. . .July 20^th deadline to apply for Recovery Act Lead Hazard Control grants. . .July 21^st deadline to apply for Energy Efficient, Green Communities component of Recovery Act’s Public Housing Capital Improvement Grant program. . .August 1^st deadline to apply for Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle Affordable Housing Program funds. . .August 3^rd deadline to apply for IRS grants to provide training “to volunteers” who offer “free tax counseling and assistance to elderly individuals in the preparation of their Federal tax returns”. . .August 7^th deadline to apply for Indian Community Development Block Grant program. . .August 11^th deadline to apply for Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program grants.

To help REALTORS® meet their clients’ needs and succeed in today’s economic climate, the National Association of REALTORS® is offering its roster of business-building resources to members for free or at significantly reduced costs through the association’s ‘Right Tools, Right Now” initiative. 

“NAR is the most trusted resource for real estate information, and we want to ensure that REALTORS® have easy access to these powerful resources in today’s market,” said NAR President Charles McMillan.  “Every NAR division is contributing to this initiative so that REALTORS® can better service their clients and enhance their business.”

For more information on the products, publications, service and enhancements available through the “Right Tools, Right Now” initiative, visit http://www.REALTOR.org/RightTools.

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching and fireworks will soon fill the air.  Thurston County Solid Waste would like to remind residents what to do after the smoke settles.  Once you clean up the debris from your fireworks display, these materials go in the trash bin only.  Please do not place them in the recycling or the organics.   While some fireworks packing does indeed contain paper or cardboard, there are many other items attached that make it non-recyclable such as the shiny coatings, plastic bases or tubes, and explosive residuals.   These other materials contaminate the recyclables.

Speaking of contamination, we want to remind residents to please follow the recycling rule of “when in doubt, throw it out”.  When residents are uncertain about the recyclability of an item, they often place it in the recycling bin “just in case”.   Unfortunately this theory adds great expense to the recycling process due to extra sorting and having to dispose of the non-recyclable items.

The only plastics allowed in recycling are diary tubs and the narrow neck bottles and jugs.  Plastic bags, deli containers, clamshells, toys, Styrofoam, and of course, diapers are prohibited.    Ammunition and hypodermic needles do not belong in the recycling either and pose a danger to staff that work on the sorting lines.  Placing incorrect items in your residential recycling may result in your bin being tagged by the hauler or not collected.

There are plenty of resources to help you determine what can and cannot be recycled.  Just go to the Thurston County Solid Waste website at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/wwm/Recycling_and_Disposal/Recycle/Prepare_Materials_Home.htm for the Yes/No list.   This information is also on your bin label and comes as a billing insert on the back side of your annual calendar.  If you don’t find the answer for a specific item, please call your hauler or Thurston County at 357-2491 and we will be happy to help.