Alaska State Government and Public Real Estate News

WASHINGTON, DC – June 13, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $563 million to 353 American Indian and Alaskan Native entities that represent 539 tribes across the U.S.  Provided through HUD’s Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program, these funds are distributed annually to eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entities for a broad range of affordable housing activities (see local grants). more »

Sitka, AK – June 10, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rural Development Alaska State Director Jim Nordlund today welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture Housing and Community Facilities Administrator Tammye Treviño to Sitka.

While in Sitka, Administrator Trevino is planning to mark a milestone in the revival of the former Sheldon Jackson College campus. The college, which is now closed, transferred ownership of campus buildings to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. This transaction carried the responsibility to assume a USDA guaranteed loan and a grant to the college for the Rasmuson Student Center building. Trevino will accept transfer of the student center from the college to the camp. Part of the transaction includes a long term lease and favorable terms for one of the Student Center’s renters, 3 To 5 Preschool, Inc. The Rasmuson Foundation and the Foraker Group were instrumental in finalizing the transaction. more »

ANCHORAGE, AK – June 5, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Under new program changes adopted by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), beginning July 1, 2013, Alaska homeowners participating in the Home Energy Rebate Program for new construction may qualify for a “6 Star” energy rating. The sixth star will be awarded for homes that meet the highest energy rating, and may be rewarded with a $10,000 rebate. more »

Anchorage, AK – May 28, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) plans to award $7.6 million in federal grant funds and low-income housing tax credits to Volunteers of America National Services; Volunteers of America, Alaska; and development partners Trapline LLC and V2. The organizations joint-ventured and submitted a competitive bid to construct and manage Vista Drive in Douglas. more »

ANCHORAGE, AK – May 22, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is moving forward with its plan to go smoke-free in its larger multi-family units with tenants who are elderly or have a disability. more »

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – May 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) Division of Statewide Aviation released the second video, in a two‐part series, illustrating the vital lifeline aviation provides for 82% of Alaskan communities. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Senate, by a bipartisan vote of 83-14, approved the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA) today, a major bill that authorizes ports, navigation and flood control projects and includes an important provision inserted into the bill by U.S. Sen. Mark Begich to help Alaska develop its remote harbors. It also includes an amendment from Begich and Sen. Lisa Murkowski to help spur the development of a deepwater port in the Arctic. more »

EUGENE, OR – May 14, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — IDX, Inc. has integrated the dynamic IDX Broker software onto yet another professional website. This time, Versailles, Alaska properties are displayed on the website of agent Charles Martin, creating a thorough and complete database of listings for his clients to conveniently search through. Martin, a member of both the Palm Beach Regional MLS (RMLSFL) can now deliver his home seeking clients with a fruitful, effective and efficient online real estate search, revolutionizing the way potential buyers find homes online. more »

Juneau, Alaska – May 8, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Sean Parnell today announced appointments to the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, State Council on Interstate Adult and Juvenile Supervision, Local Boundary Commission, Natural Resources Conservation and Development Board, and the Board of Veterinary Examiners. more »

ANCHORAGE – April 24, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — As of March 31, 2013, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s (AHFC) Weatherization Program, serving primarily the elderly, those with disabilities and families with children younger than age six, has invested more than $205 million since 2008 to improve the energy efficiency of an estimated 10,500 Alaska homes used by lower-income renters and homeowners. more »

ANCHORAGE, AK – April 4, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Fear of coming up with cash at closing is frequently the barrier that prevents would-be homeowners from taking the leap into homeownership. Starting this month Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is, for the first time ever, offering a program that offers homebuyers money for closing costs while maintaining a competitive 30-year fixed interest rate. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 28, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Following his first meeting as a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee today, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich took immediate steps to ensure that limited federal resources are used wisely and diligently on essential operations and programs. Begich introduced two bills to assist Alaska communities in obtaining the resources they need to maintain critical community activities and services like education, housing, and health care delivery. more »

ANCHORAGE, AK – February 26, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The IRS determined two Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) bonds, randomly chosen for an audit, to be in good standing. This comes after nine months of the IRS meticulously analyzing AHFC accounting. more »

Nearly one year after settlement over 550,000 homeowners receive support

WASHINGTON, DC – February 21, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The nation’s largest mortgage servicers have distributed $45.83 billion in direct relief to over 550,000 homeowners, or roughly $82,000 per homeowner as part of the National Mortgage Settlement, according to a progress report released today by independent settlement monitor Joseph A. Smith of the Office of Mortgage Settlement Oversight. Almost one year ago, the Department of Justice, Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) and 49 state attorneys general reached a landmark agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers to address mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure abuses. more »

ANCHORAGE – January 30, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that an Anchorage man was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage for 12 counts of false statements to a credit union.

Lee E. Baker, Jr., 57, from Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline, to 36 months in prison. more »