Yearly Archives: 2016

Congressional Delegation Announces $1.9 Million in Funding for Fair Housing Initiatives in Mass.

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, along with Representatives Richard Neal, Jim McGovern, Michael Capuano, Stephen Lynch, and Bill Keating announced today that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded organizations in Massachusetts a total of $1,873,778 in funding through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) to assist victims of housing discrimination.

CORCORAN-SUNCAL SUBMITS EXPANDED PROJECT NOTIFICATION FORM (PNF) FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE BUNKER HILL PUBLIC...

Corcoran-SunCal, in partnership with the Boston Housing Authority, has filed an Environmental Notification Form and Expanded Project Notification Form with state officials and the Boston Redevelopment Authority for design and construction of the redevelopment of the Bunker Hill Public Housing community, known as One Charlestown

Slight Increases in Both Closed Sales and Prices Across the Board in August

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that home sales increased again over August of last year. Inventory decreases and ongoing buyer demand continue to push median prices up, nearing record highs for August. Condominium sales also closed slightly higher with median prices up from 2015

Massachusetts District Court Applies Well-Settled Law Affirming MERS’ Role

MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. today announced that Judge Mark L. Wolf of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts adopted and incorporated Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell’s Report and Recommendation, which granted summary judgment to defendants and applied the well-settled law of the First Circuit and the Massachusetts Land Court in affirming Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.’s (MERS) role in mortgages in the state.

AG Healey to Award $500,000 in Grants to Allow for Redevelopment of Severely Blighted...

In order to continue to reduce severe residential property blight, enhance public safety, and improve neighborhoods and communities, the Attorney General’s Office will be awarding $500,000 in grants to fund strategic demolition projects across the state, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today

Hingham Woman Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud

A Hingham woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Boston for defrauding mortgage companies in connection with multiple mortgages she obtained on a single residence. Denise Bruce, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to two years in prison, five years of supervised release and restitution of $2,810,497. In May 2016, Bruce pleaded guilty to five counts of bank fraud.

Markey, Warren Applaud U.S. Senate Passage of Water Resource and Infrastructure Bill

Massachusetts Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren today commended Senate passage of a comprehensive water resources and water infrastructure bill, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. This bill will help address the adverse effects of climate change, improve the safety of and infrastructure for our nation’s drinking water, and spur economic growth. The legislation included several of the senators’ top priorities for Massachusetts.

Senator Warren Presses FEMA About High Cost of Flood Map Appeals for Mass. Cities...

At a Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren asked Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials about mistakes in federal flood insurance maps and the high cost of appeals shouldered by Massachusetts cities and towns

Buyers Pushed Up the Pace on Pending Home Sales in August

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) reported today that buyers were not deterred by the hottest August on record in pushing up the number of accepted offers that were made as pending home sales rose again over 24 percent from last year. Condominium pending sales were also up 17 percent as prices for both property types continue to go up. The strong market was reflected in a high Realtor® Market Confidence Index, while Price Confidence was essentially flat

Major Insurance Company to Refund Massachusetts Homeowners for Improperly Charged Force-Placed Insurance

In the third such settlement in the past year, a company has agreed to provide refunds to Massachusetts homeowners who were improperly charged for force-placed insurance policies, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment & BHA Help Clients Pursue Home Ownership

When they walk into Maria Chavez’s Boston Housing Authority (BHA) office, many public housing residents come fatigued by the challenges of poverty, stress, and the uphill battle to improve their situation.

Natick Attorney and Former City of Worcester Housing Official Indicted on Fraud Charges

A real estate developer and a former City of Worcester housing official were charged in U.S. District Court in Worcester this week in connection with a $2.3 million fraud scheme relating to the redevelopment of a multi-family property in Worcester.

Senator Markey & Mayor Sarno Discuss Opioids, Infrastructure, Economic Development at Springfield City Hall...

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Mayor of Springfield Domenic J. Sarnotoday met at Springfield City Hall to discuss issues impacting the greater Springfield area. The two lawmakers discussed the opioid crisis and efforts in Springfield to expand treatment and provide resources to first responders. Senator Markey and Mayor Sarno also spoke about economic development projects in Springfield, including infrastructure improvement projects, and the importance of federal funding

LIBRARY BUILDING PROJECT

The Public Building Commission of the Town of Scituate, Massachusetts will issue periodic public updates about the construction progress for the Town Library project. Groundbreaking occurred on September 1, 2015. The project remains on budget. Completion is anticipated for early 2017.

Natick Attorney and Former City of Worcester Housing Official Indicted on Fraud Charges

A real estate developer and a former City of Worcester housing official were charged in U.S. District Court in Worcester this week in connection with a $2.3 million fraud scheme relating to the redevelopment of a multi-family property in Worcester.

Recent

AG Healey Secures $2 Million in Restitution for 20,000 Massachusetts Homeowners...

One of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers will pay $2 million in restitution to resolve allegations that it violated state law and committed unfair and deceptive practices by charging Massachusetts homeowners for unnecessary fees and overpriced force-placed insurance policies, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today