MidSouth

Federal Court Blocks MERS Lawsuit
   In another decision affecting county mortgage recording fees, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas rules that individual homeowners do not have standing to sue Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems over the fees.
posted 11/2/12 11:18 AM  read complete story

Acceleration Of Disaster Aid Sought
   HUD officials huddle with Louisiana and Mississippi development officials and entitlement communities to determine how it can speed reallocation of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds to help repair and replace housing in 69 parishes suffering damage from Hurricane Isaac.
posted 9/7/12 11:53 AM  read complete story

Houston Disaster Funding Use Slammed
   HUD's Office of Inspector General (OIG) criticizes the city of Houston for using Community Development Block Grant disaster funding to build affordable housing in disaster areas instead of directly helping those in greatest need.
posted 7/27/12 10:39 AM  read complete story

Judge Rules Texas Housing Agency Bias
   A federal court judge rules the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs unintentionally discriminated in its allocation of low-income housing tax credits and it must craft a plan to remedy the problem.
posted 4/6/12 10:09 AM  read complete story

Katrina Aid Sought For Superdome
   Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) wants HUD’s approval to divert $6.6 million of housing aid -- money originally targeted for Hurricane Katrina recovery -- to shape up the New Orleans’ Superdome, home of the Saints professional football team. Jindal takes his cue from his
posted 3/30/12 11:12 AM  read complete story

(MANUFACTURED HOMES) Factory Homes In TVA Energy Pact
   Struggling manufactured home builders and suppliers have a novel approach to help revive the recession-hit industry: a pact between the Tennessee Valley Authority, the industry’s Systems Building Research Alliance, and Tennessee-based manufacturer Clayton Homes to
posted 1/18/12 4:55 PM  read complete story

(PROPERTY TAKING) State Property Taking Tightened
   Mississippi voters endorse a measure Nov. 8 barring the state from using eminent domain to give land to private developers. The referendum was an end run around Gov. Haley Barbour (R) who vetoed similar legislation three years ago
posted 11/10/11 11:55 AM  read complete story

(TAX CREDITS IN COURT) Tax Credits Subject To Open Records Law
   Low-income housing tax credit records are open to the public, the Louisiana attorney says in a new opinion. The ruling focuses on a Lafayette, LA development funded in part by $800,000 in LIHTCs awarded
posted 7/15/11 11:57 AM  read complete story

(HOUSING PROGRAM CONSOLIDATION) Governor Consolidates Housing Programs
   Prompted by the chaos and overlaps in state housing efforts in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) signs a bill consolidating 11 housing programs in one new office, the Louisiana
posted 7/8/11 12:44 PM  read complete story

(STORM ASSISTANCE) Foreclosed Homes Shelter Storm Victims
   HUD has identified 1,000 foreclosed homes in Alabama that can be used to house victims of the tornadoes that cut a swath across the state April 27. HUD officials say some storm victims may be housed in rental homes
posted 5/13/11 11:42 AM  read complete story