President’s initiatives promising steps towards relief for homeowners, but more needs to be done

Blacks Face Bias in Bankruptcy, Study Suggests (New York Times)

Micro-Market Recovery Program hopes to redevelop foreclosed homes, neighborhood by neighborhood (Chicago Reporter)

Vacant homes to rentals has potential but also potential problems (Chicago Reporter)

Comm. Bridget Gainer on Cook County’s Vacant Buildings Ordinance

January 2012 Woodstock Developments

From the President: Promising Starts for 2012

The Chicago region’s vacant property problem: a data snapshot

Vacant properties blog series will examine solutions to growing regional, national housing challenge

Existing responses to foreclosure crisis still insufficient to meet needs, new leadership is needed: November HAMP Analysis

Uncle Sam, listing agent (Crain’s Real Estate Daily)

REO-to-rental can work, but community needs must be a top priority

Cordray appointment vital for minority communities (The Grio)

President Obama recess appoints Richard Cordray as head of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, agency can enforce authority to regulate all financial institutions, including non-banks

Top 10 stories of 2011

December 2011 Woodstock Developments

From the President: Ocwen proves principal reduction works; FHFA still refuses to budge

County committee approves ordinance requiring mortgage servicers to maintain vacant homes

Cook County passes vacant building ordinance similar to Chicago’s (Chicago Tribune)

New county fines of up to $1,000 a day for problem vacant buildings (Chicago Sun-Times)