Average 30-year mortgage rate up to 4.12%

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sept. 12, 2014 – Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose slightly this week but remained near their lows for the year.
Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday the nationwide average for a 30-year loan edged up to 4.12 percent from 4.10 percent last week, where it had stayed for three straight weeks.
The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, rose to 3.26 percent from 3.24 percent.
At 4.12 percent, the rate on a 30-year mortgage is down from 4.53 percent at the start of the year. Rates have fallen even though the Federal Reserve has been trimming its monthly bond purchases, which are intended to keep long-term borrowing rates low. The purchases are set to end next month.
Mortgage rates often follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. The 10-year note traded at 2.54 percent Wednesday, up from 2.41 percent a week earlier. It was trading at 2.53 percent Thursday morning.
To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.
The average fee for a 30-year mortgage was unchanged from last week at 0.5 point. The fee for a 15-year mortgage also remained at 0.5 point.
The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 2.99 percent from 2.97 percent. The fee was stable at 0.5 point.
For a one-year ARM, the average rate increased to 2.45 percent from 2.40 percent. The fee held at 0.4 point.
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Homelessness: Gov. signs bill, HUD allocates money

WASHINGTON – June 20, 2014 – The fight to help Florida's homeless population received positive news today from two fronts: Gov. Scott signed HB 979, a bill backed by Florida Realtors; and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated over $10 million dollars to 40 programs that serve Florida's homeless residents.

Florida HB 979

A bill passed by the 2014 Florida Legislature introduced by Rep. Kathleen Peters (R-St. Petersburg) establishes challenge grants for local homeless coalitions, nonprofits and other agencies that assist the homeless. It also provides the agencies with training and technical assistance. It's effective July 1.

A final analysis of the bill is available online. It includes of overview of Florida's homeless agencies and how the program is organized.

HUD funding

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced Florida agencies for the homeless would receive $10,207,015 through a second round of grants. Nationwide, HUD granted $140 million to nearly 900 local homeless assistance programs.

Provided through HUD's Continuum of Care Program, the funding announced will ensure additional permanent and transitional housing renewal projects are able to continue operating in the coming year, providing housing and support services to families experiencing homelessness.

"Communities all across the country are changing their approach to reducing homelessness and now is not the time to retreat from doing what we know works," said Donovan.

Earlier this year, HUD awarded $1.6 billion in the first round of funding to more than 7,100 existing local homeless programs operating across the U.S.

Homelessness: Gov. signs bill, HUD allocates money