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New loan partnership helps Tacoma Habitat for Humanity build 25 more homes in Pierce...

Thanks to a financing partnership between the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, the Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat affiliate will build seven new homes in Lakewood’s Tillicum area, as well as complete an ongoing community.

New partnership helps Habitat for Humanity build 50 more homes in Tacoma, Spokane

Thanks to a $5 million loan from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Tacoma and Spokane will build an additional 25 homes in each community in the next few years.

Murray Introduces Bill to Strengthen Protections for Servicemembers on Student Loans, Mortgages, Contracts

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the SCRA Enhancement and Improvement Act of 2016. This major legislation would increase protections for servicemembers, who in recent years have been subjected to unfair treatment when serving on active duty. Specifically, by enhancing the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Murray’s bill would lower the cap on all loan interest rates to three percent when servicemembers are called to active duty, and zero percent if they are serving in areas where they are eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger pay.

February Housing Stats for DC and Montgomery County

GCAAR is pleased to update its market information through a partnership with ShowingTime RealEstate Business Intelligence (RBI). Monthly analysis of the Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD housing markets gets more detailed attention here, while GCAAR continues to be your source for ear-to-the-ground reporting from our REALTOR® members. Get monthly housing stats at gcaar.com.

Washington Seafood Companies Agree to Cut Ozone-Depleting and Greenhouse Gas Refrigerant Releases

Two seafood processing and cold storage companies, Ocean Gold Seafoods Inc. and Ocean Cold LLC, have agreed to cut their releases of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases from leaking refrigeration equipment at their facilities in Westport, Washington.

Cardin, Delaney, Luján, DelBene Introduce Resolutions Establishing National Clean Energy Goals

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Reps. John K. Delaney (Md.-6), Ben Luján (N.M.-3) and Suzan DelBene (WA-1) have filed resolutions in the House and Senate affirming the establishment of a national goal of more than 50 percent of America’s electricity production coming from clean and carbon-free electricity sources by 2030 and calling for the enactment of new legislation to achieve this goal.

Newhouse, Reichert Introduce Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Legislation

Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced legislation to authorize a key phase of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, an initiative to better accommodate the water needs of the agricultural community, conservationists, residents, and other stakeholders in the Yakima River Basin region. Reps. Reichert and Newhouse made the following statements after introducing the bill

Cleanup will help Everett bay’s environment, shipping

The Port of Everett wants to dig contaminated sediments out of Port Gardner Bay to help further develop one of the West Coast’s busiest deep-water seaports. The work would improve the local environment, Puget Sound and navigational access to the port’s Pacific Terminal

Founders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus Introduce Bill to Help Stop the Spread...

U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Denny Heck (WA-10) introduced a bill to help communities stop the spread of toxic stormwater runoff into key waterways. The legislation would create financing incentives to help state, Tribal, and local governments invest in Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI).

Investing in housing and services in Everett

The capital budget proposal released today by the House invests $312 million into Washington state’s infrastructure – creating jobs and supporting the needs of our local communities. Rep. June Robinson (D-Everett) successfully requested funding for two projects to address homelessness in Everett and Snohomish County.

SEWAGE PROMPTS WARNING TO AVOID WATER CONTACT IN AND AROUND LACAMAS LAKE

Clark County Public Health is advising that people and pets should avoid water contact in and around Lacamas Lake. A spill occurred near 4700 NW Pacific Rim Blvd. in Camas and the leak was repaired early this afternoon.

Kilmer Urges Communities in the 6th District to Apply for Transportation Grants

Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) urged transportation agencies in Washington’s 6th Congressional District to apply for a new round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grants. First established in 2009, TIGER funds local rail, road, and port projects with national significance.

COUNCILORS SEEK APPLICANTS FOR BOARD OF EQUALIZATION VACANCIES

The Board of County Councilors is seeking applicants to fill two positions on the Clark County Board of Equalization. One is a regular position and one is for an alternate.

Sen. Murray Urges WA Communities to Apply for Transportation Grants

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) urged transportation agencies in Washington state to apply for recently announced Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grants. The grants available, totaling $500 million, are awarded on a competitive basis, and will support critical investments in roads and bridges, public transit, freight and passenger rail, and ports. TIGER is a unique, cost-effective program that helps state and local agencies tackle complex transportation and economic development challenges in their communities.

Washington State University and Gonzaga Students Awarded EPA Grants for Innovative Sustainability Projects

Student teams at Washington State University, in Pullman and Gonzaga University, in Spokane will receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s latest People, Prosperity and Planet grant awards of up to $15,000 to develop sustainability projects to improve energy conservation and wildfire resistance. The WSU and Gonzaga student teams are among 38 winning teams across the U.S. to compete and win the “P3” sustainability grants.

Palouse farmers honored for commitment to clean water

The Palouse-Rock Lake Conservation District is being recognized for leadership in making on-the-ground improvements that benefit healthy farms and protect clean water.

Water strategy proposed for Icicle Creek watershed

A strategy to boost water supplies for fish, irrigators and domestic users is being advanced by the Icicle Creek Work Group after months of negotiations and collaboration

AG wins summary judgment against company scamming homeowners

Attorney General Bob Ferguson prevailed today in his lawsuit against a California company that scammed new property owners into buying overpriced deeds

As Production Halts at Moses Lake Silicon Plant, Murray, Cantwell, Newhouse Call for End...

Following an announcement that the REC Silicon plant in Moses Lake will shut down production, U.S. Senators Murray and Cantwell, and U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), today called on trade representatives to end the solar trade war between the U.S. and China.

AG secures $1 million for Washington homeowners in legal action against HSBC for mortgage...

 Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced Washington homeowners will recover $1 million, as part of a $470 million agreement secured for homeowners nationwide through a state-federal legal action against mortgage lender and servicer HSBC.

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KCHA spearheads successful effort to preserve nine subdized apartment complexes in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- When a portfolio of nine privately owned Section 8-assisted housing complexes located in five counties scattered across Washington state was offered for sale last spring, the King County Housing Authority spearheaded a collaborative effort to purchase it. The housing authorities of Bremerton, Grays Harbor County, Yakima, and Chelan County and the City of Wenatchee participated in assuring the preservation of a total of 337 homes within the various communities.

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Calmwater Capital Originates $7.6 Million Loan for WSU Student Housing

Calmwater Capital, a leading national direct real estate lender, has provided $7.6 million in senior debt to Nelson Brothers Professional Real Estate, LLC to acquire and upgrade a student housing complex near Washington State University. The 184-bed property, known as College Crest Apartments, is located at 1555 NE Merman Drive in Pullman, Washington.