Yearly Archives: 2010

MONROE, LA - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined Benchmark Bank Chairman and CEO Mike Barnett, Affiliated Mortgage Co. President Dan Hastings and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo to announce that Benchmark Bank’s subsidiary, Affiliated Mortgage Company (AMC) of West Monroe, has committed to retain and expand its operations in Northeast Louisiana.

Washington, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today commended the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their efforts to assist Hurricane Rita survivors’ transition into long-term housing. FEMA announced today they are initiating a plan to help relocate the remaining residents still in temporary housing from the 2005 storms through federal, state, local and voluntary agency efforts

Washington, DC - October 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Steve Scalise today issued the following statement after the Internal Revenue Service announced it would allow homeowners with toxic Chinese drywall to treat the damages incurred from toxic drywall as a casualty loss for tax purposes.

WASHINGTON D.C. - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) supported extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for one year, through September 30, 2011. 500,000 Louisianians depend on the federal program to protect their homes and businesses. Congressman Melancon worked to pass a five-year extension of the flood insurance program in the House of Representatives last July. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to act on the five-year extension bill. The one-year extension passed by the House today will prevent the flood insurance program from expiring next week.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded the City of New Orleans $1,042,684 to create a training program to help minority-owned businesses compete for contracting opportunities in federal and state-funded disaster recovery programs. The grant is provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program

NEW ORLEANS, Dc - September 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In the five years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast, the New Orleans metropolitan area lost 75,000 housing units or nearly 13 percent of its housing stock. In addition, the median monthly cost of housing rose by nearly 33 percent, from $662 in 2004 to $882 in 2009. These are among the key findings of a new housing survey presented today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

EUGENE, OR - September 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Louisiana properties just got easier to search for online, thanks to IDX, Inc. and Adam Campo, who have joined forces to bring thousands of Baton Rouge MLS (BRMLS) listings to area home seekers. The IDX solution now enabled on his site extracts raw listing data directly from BRMLS and seamlessly integrates it onto the search page Campo supports, giving home seekers a comprehensive database of homes to look at. With the tools potential buyers can now utilize on the website of Campo, finding a home in Baton Rogue has never been quicker, simpler or more effective.

CHALMETTE, LA - August 31, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) today joined students, teachers, and residents of St. Bernard Parish in recognizing the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall with the community’s Annual Day of Reflection breakfast. The memorial event, hosted by the St. Bernard Parish School Board, was held this morning at Chalmette High School and is an opportunity for the community to remember the losses they suffered because of Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures, while also celebrating the rebuilding progress and unity of spirit evident in St. Bernard today.

July 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- John Wortman, CEO of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens), the state’s property insurance of last resort, has announced his upcoming retirement. “John Wortman has been a tremendous asset to Louisiana during our recovery from the catastrophic hurricanes of 2005. He came to Citizens in a time of great turmoil within the organization and worked tirelessly to set Citizens on a course for future efficiency and professionalism. I am grateful to him for his extraordinary contributions and I wish him well in his much deserved retirement,” said Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S Reps. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) last night wrote the U.S. General Services Administration asking for answers on the trailers that are being used to house some workers cleaning up the oil from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The trailers, originally provided to Gulf residents following Hurricane Katrina, were found to have unhealthy levels of formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen. The story was first reported in The New York Times.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- This year, countless home and business owners have contacted me to voice their concerns regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) remapping process. They have good reason to be concerned given that many businesses and families stand to be negatively impacted when the new maps are implemented.

Washington, DC - June 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FHA Reform Act of 2010, a bill meant to bolster the Federal Housing Administration and help prevent another housing crisis.

May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- At a press conference today, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon kicked off his summer storm tour aimed at raising awareness for hurricane and flood preparedness. Experts are predicting an “above average” 2010 Atlantic hurricane season and Commissioner Donelon is imploring consumers to protect themselves and their property against Louisiana’s most frequent and unpredictable natural disasters – hurricanes and floods

Washington, DC - April 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Steve Scalise testified today before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity on H.R. 1264, the Multiple Peril Insurance Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --Today, Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) toured St. Bernard Fire Chief Thomas Stone’s home in Chalmette, inspecting the extensive damage caused by toxic Chinese drywall. They discussed how the toxic substances in the wallboard can create a fire hazard. Congressman Melancon also gave an update on pending legislation he is working for in Congress that would help homeowners cope with defective Chinese drywall.