Monthly Archives: March 2016

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its eighth-annual “Top Cities” list, which ranks the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified commercial buildings in the preceding calendar year with Miami ranking eighteenth. The Top Cities list illustrates how cities across America are embracing energy efficiency as a proven path to financial savings and a healthier environment.

Congressman Ander Crenshaw, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined in today’s (3/30) ribbon cutting for the new US Customs and Border Protection and US Coast Guard building in Jacksonville. In honor of the building’s dedication, he placed a formal statement in the official Congressional Record, which reads in full

Lake County’s recent heavy rainfall could lead to localized drainage issues. That’s why the Lake County Stormwater Section and the Adopt-a-Lake Program are reminding residents to keep their storm drains clean to help prevent flooding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring 149 businesses and organizations in 35 states for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) have introduced legislation to protect Florida homeowners from impending increases in flood insurance rates. The Flood Insurance Rate Increase Suspension Act (H.R. 4866), which was filed on March 24 by the bay area Republicans, would delay any increase in flood insurance premium rates for certain properties for 12 months.

Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) called on congressional appropriators to prioritize family homelessness and services for homeless individuals in Fiscal Year 2017. In submitting a formal letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Hastings and Johnson urged the committee to make it easier for local communities to prioritize their own needs in responding to homeless populations, and expand access to effective services for homeless individuals (Please find attached a copy of the letter.)

Miami residential properties registered $812.5 million in total sales in February as single-family homes and condominiums posted major price gains, according to a new report by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.

This week, U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), a member of the Seniors Task Force, led two major efforts in the House to protect funding for critical seniors programs, including nutrition and community-based care programs, that help older Americans live active and independent lives. Joined by U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (FL-21), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and David Loebsack (IA-02), Murphy led a letter with the support of over 40 House Democrats urging full funding of the congregate and home-delivered nutrition services provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) as authorized by the Older Americans Act.

Press availability with Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. The City of Tampa and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation will unveil a multi-purpose Youth Development Park to the Springhill Park Community Center in Sulphur Springs

Florida’s housing market reported increased new listings, rising median prices and fewer all-cash closed sales in February, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 18,159 last month, remaining relatively the same (up 0.4 percent) as the February 2015 figure

The House of Representatives today passed the Senate companion of Congressman Alan Grayson’s (D-FL09) “Servicemember Foreclosure protections Extension Act of 2015,” which protects veterans from having their homes foreclosed on for one year after their return from active duty. This protection had elapsed at the end of 2015.

On Wednesday, March 23rd at 1:00 PM at the Development Services Center the City of Tampa will host a mandatory technical meeting for those interested in submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Nehemiah Project is working to clear the Sulphur Springs neighborhood of blight and crime by creating safe and affordable living as well as transforming the neighborhood while keeping its diverse history in mind

Lake County Solid Waste is encouraging Lake County residents to dispose of toxic materials in a safe and environmentally sensitive way at an upcoming household hazardous waste collection event.

Mayor Buckhorn will join Wesley Burdette, owner and developer of The Warehouse Lofts, and the community to cut the ribbon on the 54-unit loft-style apartment building

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued Geographic Targeting Orders (GTO) that will temporarily require certain U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind companies used to pay “all cash” for high-end residential real estate in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, and Miami-Dade County, Florida. FinCEN is concerned that all-cash purchases – i.e., those without bank financing – may be conducted by individuals attempting to hide their assets and identity by purchasing residential properties through limited liability companies or other opaque structures.

The 2016 Florida Fair Housing Summit: A Call to Advance Housing Rights and Opportunities registration is now open! The one-day event will be held Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Centre Hotel. You don’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to learn about the latest housing trends!

Congressman John Mica hosted a ceremony here March 9, transferring the vacant 120-bed former VA community living center at the Lake Baldwin VA medical complex from the federal government to the State of Florida. The building, dedicated in 1999, was converted to clinical and office use approximately two years ago, when a newer VA community living center was opened at the VA’s new Lake Nona campus.

Colombia leads all global consumers searching online for South Florida real estate, according to new statistics from the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI). Colombia finished as the top international country using MIAMI’s search portal, www.Miamire.com, in January 2016