When It's Simple A Matter Of Dollars And SENSE!

A $400,000 mortgage is $2,700 per month today.

A $400,000 mortgage was $1,600 per month in 2021.

So, think about it.

Why would you vote for Kamala Harris? Why?

Oh, My! The Wheels Have Come Off The Cart!

 

Oh, The $imple Realities Of Life . . .

 

Yeah, Joe Did That, And That, And THAT!

 

Whew! The Obstructionists Are At It AGAIN!

Citing pleas from both local officials and residents who are concerned with the cost and impact of building thousands of new units of affordable housing on their little remaining open space, New Jersey State Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-39) attempted to force Senate votes yesterday on a pair of bills he sponsors that would provide temporary relief to municipalities. Both efforts were immediately blocked by the majority Senate Democrats.

Senate Democrats blocked votes on a pair of bills sponsored by Sen. Gerry Cardinale that would provide affordable housing relief to municipalities. (Pixabay)

“We’ve heard repeatedly from mayors, councilmembers, and residents that their towns cannot absorb the thousands of units that the Fair Share Housing Center has demanded they build,” said Cardinale. “It’s clear that the Legislature must regain control of a housing policy that the New Jersey Supreme Court has recklessly advanced beyond its mandate and at the expense of property taxpayers and local communities. I’m saddened that New Jersey Democrats continue to support an activist Court that wants to pave over New Jersey.”

The bills Cardinale attempted to advance, S-3080 and S-3081, would impose a moratorium on affordable housing litigation and establish an “Affordable Housing Obligation Study Commission,” respectively.

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg stood on both occasions for Senate Democrats to table Cardinale’s motions to relieve his bills from the stalled committee process and bring them to the Senate floor for consideration.

“There aren’t too many people in Bergen County who are happy with the expensive affordable housing policies that Majority Leader Weinberg continues to defend,” said Cardinale. “I’m surprised she’s fighting so vigorously for overdevelopment, crowded schools, and higher property taxes throughout Bergen County.”

Cardinale’s efforts on the Senate floor followed a well-attended public meeting held by the 39th District legislators last week to hear the substantial concerns of public officials.

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi and Assemblyman Bob Auth (both R-39) sponsor the identical versions of Cardinale’s bills in the General Assembly, A-4666 and A-4667, and have been strong advocates for affordable housing reform.

“The Fair Share Housing Center has issued local municipal obligations that would require just about every open field and every wooded lot in Bergen County to be replaced with high-density housing,” added Cardinale. “Democrats may be happy with that, but we’re not. We’ll keep fighting to preserve our towns and protect our property taxpayers.”

'We Have A Chance To Help' - Let's Do It!

Legislation sponsored by New Jersey State Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union, Somerset, Morris) to help homeless individuals during severe winter weather events was passed by the New Jersey Senate.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean Jr. to establish Code Blue homeless protection programs was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)

“We saw just last week the kind of nasty cold and wet weather a New Jersey winter can bring,” Senator Kean said. “Now, we’re one step closer to ensuring that more of our state’s homeless individuals have a warm shelter to stay on harsh winter nights.”

The bill, S-1088, requires county offices of emergency management to coordinate with municipalities with a documented homeless population of at least 10 people to develop consistent Code Blue alert plans throughout the county. After a county emergency management coordinator declares a Code Blue, local law enforcement is notified so they can go out on patrols and locate at-risk individuals.

A Code Blue is triggered when temperatures will reach 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder without precipitation or will reach 32 degree or colder with precipitation. It is also triggered when the wind-chill temperature reaches zero degrees or less for two hours or more.

The state already has 15 counties that have already established Code Blue Programs. Several municipalities also have their own programs. However, the protocols of each program vary, and the new legislation establishes statewide procedures and standards.

“No one should have to spend a night outside in the bitter cold of winter,” Senator Kean said. “We have a chance to help some of most vulnerable residents and save lives.”

They Were 'Begging For Relief' - It Didn't Matter!

An effort by New Jersey State Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) to have the New Jersey Senate vote on comprehensive affordable housing reform legislation was blocked by the majority Senate Democrats.

New Jersey Senate Democrats blocked the Senate’s consideration of Sen. Kip Bateman’s comprehensive affordable housing reform legislation (S-2216) in a party-line 22-16 vote. (SenateNJ.com)

Bateman’s action follows a recent ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court on affordable housing which ensures continued confusion and expensive litigation for municipalities.

“Towns across the state were begging for legislative relief to clarify the state’s incoherent affordable housing policy before the recent Supreme Court ruling, and those pleas have only increased since the decision was released,” said Bateman. “I am saddened that the Senate Democratic majority refuses to consider the passage of reform legislation that would prevent unnecessary litigation for towns and protect residents from higher property tax bills.”

Bateman sponsors S-2216, which would allow towns to administer their own affordable housing obligations, giving every municipality the flexibility and autonomy to make their own decisions.

His effort to make S-2216 the “Order of the Day” in the Senate, which would allow a vote to advance the bill, was immediately blocked by Senate Democrats.

“The Supreme Court left the door open for the Legislature to enact a new affordable housing scheme,” added Bateman. “Unless the Legislature accepts that invitation and takes action to adopt a coherent and sensible affordable housing policy, the impact on property taxes, open space and the environment could be devastating for many towns. The Senate’s continued inaction is inexcusable.”

Bateman’s action coincides with other efforts by Senate Republicans to push the New Jersey Senate to act on issues of importance to the people of New Jersey.

Celebrating A Transformation Into 'Inspired Living'

Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) will host a first anniversary luncheon for Nativity B.V.M. Place and the senior citizens who make it their home.

Friday, February 10, 2017
12:30 P.M.
Nativity B.V.M. Place
3255 Belgrade Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134

Located in Port Richmond, Nativity B.V.M. Place is one of three CHCS senior housing communities. In 2015, it was transformed from a former parish school into a facility of 63 one-bedroom apartments. It provides affordable housing to seniors 62 and older who make less than $28,400 per year.

CHCS’ affordable senior housing communities allow residents to remain active in their communities while enjoying comfortable, stylish apartment living. “Presby’s Inspired Life,” a faith based, service-oriented organization committed to creating opportunities for residents to live an enhanced quality of life, manages the properties.

CHCS is a leading provider of senior living services throughout the Philadelphia region. Dedicated staff are committed to providing the best quality support for seniors and their loved ones through senior programs. Programs include senior housing, senior centers, older adult care management, in-home support programs, adult day care, elder care helpline, and senior clubs.

Note: To learn more about Catholic Health Care Services and affordable senior housing, please visit http://catholichealthcareservices.org.

Yes, He Will Advance The Mission For ALL!

Nominee for United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson has received the bipartisan endorsement of four former Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development. These former secretaries, who wrote a letter to Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Mike Crapo and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown, cited Dr. Carson’s ability to learn and adapt in high pressure situations as reasons he will be an innovative and exceptional member of the President’s cabinet.

“I am immensely grateful for the support of Secretaries Cisneros, Martinez, Jackson and Preston, and it is a great honor to be mentioned with such accomplished public servants,” said Dr. Carson. “If confirmed, I look forward to listening to the concerns of the American people in order to develop new solutions to age-old problems, especially increasing opportunity, and making America’s neighborhoods stronger.”

Full text of the letter can be read below:

Dear Chairman Crapo and Ranking Member Brown:

We write today, from both sides of the political aisle, in support of Dr. Ben Carson’s nomination as Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, a position we have all held.

Some of us came in with deep housing experience while others had to learn it. We all succeeded thanks to the help of the cadre of dedicated civil servants — a team of respected, career leaders who have stood alongside each one of us, helping us guide the agency to succeed in its mission.

The singular, common piece of advice every HUD secretary is given is to listen. It worked to help us overcome the challenges we faced, and we know Dr. Carson will heed it as well as he works to help make HUD’s mission a reality: creating strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.

As secretary, we know that Dr. Carson will learn about what works, develop new innovations, measure outcomes, and achieve real results to improve communities throughout America.

We urge the Committee to support Dr. Carson’s confirmation.

Sincerely,

Henry Cisneros (HUD Secretary, 1993–1997)
Sen. Mel Martinez (HUD Secretary, 2001–2003)
Alphonso Jackson (HUD Secretary, 2004–2008)
Steven Preston (HUD Secretary, 2008–2009)

Christie: Sandy Housing Recovery Takes Longest

Home Prices Declining -- AGAIN!

"November home prices continued their latest slump, falling 1% compared with October, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index of 20 metro markets."
That's the word from CNN Money, noting that the continuing decline has befuddled some analysts.
According to the latest report, this newest downturn put prices 1.6% lower than 12 months ago, slightly worse than industry expectations.
Things are really bad in Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Las Vegas, Miami, Portland, Ore., Seattle and Tampa, Fla. All of these markets are at their lowest levels since they peaked during the boom.
Click here to read more.

City Housing Authority Boss Facing Foreclusure

An incredible Philadelphia Story from the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jennifer Lin.
Read the whole story at the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The mortgage foreclosure crisis has claimed an unlikely victim: Carl R. Greene, executive director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA).
Wells Fargo Bank has foreclosed on Greene's $615,035 condominium in the upscale Naval Square development in the city's Schuylkill section.
In a lawsuit filed July 27, Wells Fargo said the amount in dispute was $386,685.22.
Greene, 53, runs the nation's fourth-largest public housing agency and is one of the highest-paid public officials in the city. His salary is $306,370, and last year he got a $44,188 bonus.
Kirk Dorn, a spokesman for Greene, confirmed Thursday that the housing chief was "involved in a dispute with his mortgage company."
"It's unfortunate that the dispute is now public, but he plans to deal with the matter in private," Dorn said.
Dorn added that Greene "knows people will find it hard to understand how he could be involved in a possible foreclosure proceeding on his home, but he would prefer not to say more about it at this time."
Greene bought his three-bedroom, 2,100-square-foot condo in 2007. Wells Fargo is not seeking to evict him.
Like any other Philadelphia homeowner threatened with losing a house, Greene will have to participate in the city's mortgage-foreclosure program. He is scheduled to appear Sept. 16 in the courtroom of Judge Annette Rizzo.
PHA, a state authority, is funded mostly by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is responsible for providing housing for Philadelphia's poor. It maintains rowhouses and apartments for low-income residents and develops affordable housing for purchase.
Greene took over PHA in 1998, after serving as executive director of the Detroit Housing Commission. He also worked for housing authorities in Atlanta and Washington.

One has to wonder: How is it that this man makes more than $300,00 per year (AND gets a $40,000 bonus) but still can't seem to make his mortgage payments?
And why can't he come forward and speak for himself?
His salary is paid for by the public, is it not?
So, doesn't he owe the public an explanation?

Governor Eyes NJ Affordable Housing Reforms

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today outlined a realistic and achievable plan for affordable housing that creates a standards-based, municipally controlled system with minimal involvement from the State. New Jersey is facing dramatically different economic, demographic and social circumstances since the original Fair Housing Act was passed 25 years ago, which is why the current affordable housing system must be retired and replaced.
Under the new system, the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and State-imposed housing obligations will be abolished and fair, affirmative, locally directed obligations to build low and moderate-income housing will be created.
As a result of the proposed changes, the rehabilitation of existing housing stock with be encouraged, a process largely neglected in the current system, and the affordable housing system will be moved away from state-controlled mandates and towards a locally-based system that focuses on future development.
The Governor’s proposal calls for a 10 percent affordable housing unit requirement in development projects greater than 10 units (i.e. 2 affordable units for a 20 unit development), and requires a payment to a municipal affordable housing trust fund for projects between 2 and 10 units. The Governor recommends provisions to give priority housing trust funding for projects that provide special needs housing.
“These new measures will help to fix a broken system by promoting sensible, predictable and achievable planning to implement change,” said Governor Christie. “Affordable housing is a responsibility that must be naturally considered as part of normal development and local decision making. With strictly limited State involvement in the process, we are finally allowing for flexibility and customization that acknowledges our state’s unique economic, community and housing needs.”
In February, Governor Christie created a five-member Housing Opportunity Task Force chaired by former Senator Marcia Karrow to examine the State’s existing approach to affordable housing and present recommendations to fulfill New Jersey’s constitutional obligations in a manner consistent with sound planning and economic growth. In addition, the Legislature is actively considering reforms to affordable housing through legislation sponsored in the Senate by Senators Raymond Lesniak (D-20), Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16) and Jeff Van Drew (D-1) and in the Assembly by Assemblymen Vincent Prieto (D-32) and David Rible (R-11).
“I look forward to working with members of the legislature to adopt a reform plan that empowers municipalities with the flexibility to meet their affordable housing obligations based on the unique situations, circumstances and needs of their respective communities,” added Governor Christie.
Under Governor Christie’s plan, municipalities will have an increased role in determining their affordable housing needs.

Municipalities will be required to conduct an inventory of existing affordable housing to determine what housing must be rehabilitated.

The municipality must then formulate a plan to accomplish the rehabilitation.

New affordable housing construction will be tied to future housing development.

Depending on the size of the residential development, affordable housing must be provided either on-site, off-site, or through a payment to the municipality’s affordable housing trust fund in lieu of actual construction.

Municipalities would be able to use funds in their affordable housing trust funds to support housing rehabilitation within their own municipality or in other municipalities which have significant rehabilitation needs but limited resources.

Special needs housing will be given priority for both development and funding.

Also under the proposed plan, the current 2.5% commercial development fee would be repealed, which will help encourage economic growth.
With regard to zoning, municipalities seeking to comply must demonstrate that undeveloped residentially-zoned land and redevelopment will accommodate the affordable housing requirement. A municipality seeking protection from legal challenges and court-imposed remedies must develop and adopt a housing element as part of their municipal master plan. State involvement in the new process will be substantially reduced.

State affordable housing quotas will be abolished

The Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) will file municipally approved housing plans and make them publicly available.

If challenged, the Department of Community Affairs will conduct a review of municipal plans, which is limited to a determination that the plan is factually accurate and consistent with the law.

The DCA will continue to administer the State Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Six months after the enactment of proposed legislation, the Fair Housing Act will be repealed and COAH will be abolished. Affordable housing plan certifications granted by COAH will remain in effect and are afforded the continued legal protections until the certifications expire. Municipalities with pending certification requests are permitted to pursue those certifications or may withdraw and develop new plans consistent with the new proposed law.
“Governor Christie and I recognize the affordable housing needs that many people in the state have,” said DCA Acting Commissioner Lori Grifa. “Unfortunately, the Council on Affordable Housing has often times been more burden than benefit to the point that New Jersey as a whole has fallen far short of its affordable housing goals,” “The Governor’s new affordable housing plan is a fresh approach that gives more control and flexibility to local governments while limiting state involvement. Ultimately, this plan will result in more affordable housing units being built in communities across the state.”

Christie Halts COAH Efforts

Today New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed Executive Order 12 creating the Housing Opportunity Task Force, which will initiate an immediate review of the Commission on Affordable Housing and its continued existence.
The mission of the group will be to examine the regulations and methodologies of COAH, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the State Planning Act in meeting the constitutional obligations of the Mt. Laurel­ court decisions in a manner that is consistent with sound planning and economic growth for the state.
“COAH’s conflicting messages and edicts to municipalities and builders have made it a planning nightmare and a source of endless litigation,” said Governor Christie. “This Task Force will help formulate a sensible planning system that considers economic growth and development, the character of our communities and our commitment to affordable housing opportunities for our residents.”
The Task Force will be chaired by former Senator Marcia Karrow and will be comprised of five members. The task force will serve without compensation, and will be dissolved after issuing its final report in 90 days.
During that time, COAH is to refrain from taking any further action to process applications for substantive certification or to take any other actions to implement the Third Round regulations. Previously, the New Jersey Supreme Court in Mt. Laurel I and II identified a constitutional obligation on the part of municipalities to provide, by their land use regulations, the provision of affordable housing in a manner that is both fair and reasonable. Delays, inefficiencies, sky-rocketing costs and continued litigation have rendered COAH impractical and ineffective.

The Task Force will work to:

· identify the best means for determining whether a municipality should have any further affordable housing obligation;

· examine the regions that have been used by COAH for more than 20 years and whether they are still appropriate;

· review the means of incorporating workforce housing into the concept of affordable housing;

· evaluate the diverse State projections for housing and employment growth to determine the obligation for a variety and choice of housing;

· determine mechanisms that could or should be used to support the rehabilitation of deteriorating housing in the urban centers;

· find economies, efficiencies and savings to meet affordable housing needs;

· determine the appropriateness of methodologies that continue to include prior round need

Corzine's NJ Forclosure Crisis

Yesterday's report on the foreclosure crisis from the Courier Post highlights the continued havoc the foreclosure crisis is wreaking on our state. Governor Corzine has failed to keep struggling New Jerseyans in their homes, and has worsened their problems by squeezing homeowners with billions in tax and fee increases. New Jersey can't afford another four years of Governor Corzine.
"Unemployment is at a 33 year high, hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost, property taxes in New Jersey remain the highest in the nation and the foreclosure crisis persists," said New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairman Jay Webber.
"That is the undeniable result of four years of Jon Corzine's failed policies and the reality that struggling families in our state continue to suffer. Rather than provide relief to New Jerseyans who are losing their jobs and their homes, the Governor promises to raise our taxes. After hiking taxes and fees by $9 billion in his first term, Governor Corzine now wants at least $1 billion more to fund his wasteful and reckless spending. Raising taxes seems to be the only thing we can count on Jon Corzine to do. Unfortunately, that won't help New Jerseyans stay in their homes."

Foreclosure Crisis Persists In New Jersey - "Foreclosure notices filed with the Superior Court statewide and regionally increased from January to July compared to the same period in 2008, according to statistics from the state Administrative Office of the Courts." (Carol Comegno, "Foreclosure Bites South Jersey Hard," Courier Post, 10/12/09)

"The highest number of monthly foreclosures ever filed against property owners in New Jersey -- 6,133 -- occurred in June and then fell to 5,813 by July, which was still more than in July 2008." (Carol Comegno, "Foreclosure Bites South Jersey Hard," Courier Post, 10/12/09)

Gov. Corzine's Running Mate, Sen. Loretta Weinberg: "I Agree, Taxes Are Too High." (News 12/101.5 Debate, 10/8/09)

Gov. Corzine's Plan Includes Tax Increases Of Over $1 Billion -- Star-Ledger: Okay, and then you mentioned possible extension of income tax surcharge or some other taxes. Corzine: Well, you know, I think it's a billion, a little over a billion. (Star-Ledger, Editorial Board Interview, 9/8/09)

Philly Luxury Goes Kaput

From Alan J. Heavans at the Philadelphia Inquirer:
American Loft was to be the centerpiece of a booming real estate empire, an 11-story, 40-unit luxury condominium project at North American and Brown Streets in Northern Liberties.
Now, the 63,000-square-foot, 21st century mid-rise designed by architect Winka Dubbeldam and looming over a hodgepodge of 19th-century rowhouses, warehouses, and vacant lots, is headed to Philadelphia sheriff's sale.
The developer is Gagandeep Lakhmna. His company is CREI - Creating Real Estate Innovations. American Loft is just one of his several projects under way or planned for Northern Liberties, where working-class grit meets urban chic these days and the future seems bright.
Lakhmna was unable to sell enough units priced at $329,000 to $1,479,000 and "agreed to cede control" of the project to the lender, Abington Bank, which is owed "an aggregate outstanding balance of $15.1 million." That would be for three construction loans for American Loft, according to a statement from the bank.
The building - 38 condos and two townhouses - stands empty. A crew, employed by the bank to complete improvements to the project before the sale, worked outside the lower rear level of American Loft last week.
The "upset price" - the minimum the bank will accept for the property based on an appraisal and enough to cover costs and liens - is $15,440,167, according to the legal notice. Calls to the main number of CREI bounced to a voice mail account at Re/Max City Space, the real estate firm Lakhmna, 37, set up to market and sell his properties.
Calls and e-mail to Andrea Boetler, who is listed as CREI's sales director, were not returned.
Lakhmna, who came to Philadelphia in 1993 and obtained an M.B.A. at Drexel, reportedly is in India.
Note: Housing that is not realistically priced in this market will not sell.

Tea Parties Protest Spending

From WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Fla.

In a protest harkening back to a milestone in American history, people at the Jacksonville Landing and in cities large and small across the nation turned out Friday to reenact the Boston tea party in protest to the latest stimulus package and the foreclosure assistance bill.
The tax revolt, partly inspired by CNBC reporter Rick Santelli's rant earlier this week about President Barack Obama's housing rescue plan, resulted in a grassroots effort pushing "tea party" protests Friday in large cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston, and small towns like Tulsa, Iowa, and Calera, Ala.
At noon at the Jacksonville Landing, Jim Fallon was among the first of what organizers said were 79 people who showed up to protest.
"We feel we shouldn't be spending money, and chasing good money after bad buying mortgages, buy out banks, buying automobile companies," Fallon said. "It's just tax money that's being thrown away in a very bad manner."
Organizers, some from a group called Freedom Works, said this was not a partisan rally, just people opposed to wasteful spending. The said the turnout was small because the event was thrown together quickly.
The rally ended with the symbolic pouring of tea into the St. Johns River.
"That's about a useless as the guys who are throwing our money away," said one of the protestors.
On The Web: American Tea Party

Santelli's 'Army' Growing

From Andie Coller at Politico:
When CNBC’s Rick Santelli argued last week that President Barack Obama’s mortgage bailout plan would force hardworking Americans to pay for their neighbors’ mistakes, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed him as a know-nothing derivatives trader out of touch with Main Street.
But if the White House simply dismisses Santelli’s point, it may do so at its peril: A Rasmussen poll released Monday found that 55 percent of those surveyed thought federal mortgage subsidies to those most at risk of losing their homes would be “rewarding bad behavior.” Santelli’s “Network”-style diatribe has already spawned a Facebook group and plans for “tea parties” protesting the bailout in major cities including Chicago and Washington.
Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey’s group FreedomWorks has spun off a site called angryrenter.com to organize those who don’t own their homes to oppose the mortgage plan. And it’s not just Republicans who are complaining. . . .
According to the Rasmussen poll, even 49 percent of Democrats oppose mortgage subsidies like the ones Obama has proposed. Among them: Lynn Powers, 39, a Bethesda, Md., resident who describes herself as a “liberal Democrat” who has been hardworking, prudent and responsible — and now feels “like a fool.” “We were in the market,” she says.
“We put out eight bids and got outbid every time. It was very upsetting for us. I want to see some accountability and responsibility across the board. The only way for me to have an affordable home, and I’m not looking for a McMansion at all, is if we let the chips fall, in a sense. This is still the bubble — the prices have to come down. You can’t just subsidize some of the people. I don’t know how you deleverage. It is going to be painful, but this is also hurting the people who behaved responsibly.” What does she mean by “responsibly”?
“People who didn’t overbuy. Who stuck to their guns. Who read their contracts,” she says. She and her husband wound up buying a 600-square-foot studio and moved to a rental when they had their daughter, now 18 months old.
“My husband and I paid for our cars in cash,” she says. “We have no credit card debt. We have no student loans. I don’t buy Starbucks, but that’s because they’re non-fair trade, nonenvironmental.”
When they tried to buy a house, she said, “We just felt outgunned.” And now, she says, “I feel very outgunned as a citizen.”