News

Banks make progress on mortgage settlement

Published in Wednesday February 27th, 2013 In In the media

A year has passed since state and federal authorities reached a $25 billion settlement with five of the nation’s largest banks over fraudulent foreclosure practices that were commonplace after the housing bust.
On Thursday, the court-appointed monitor of the settlement issued a report showing that more than half a million homeowners have received about $46 billion worth of loan modifications, short sales, refinancings and forbearance. The activity spans from March through December and was self-reported by the banks involved in the agreement: Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Ally Financial and Citigroup.

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What Mortgage Relief?

Published in Monday February 25th, 2013 In Opinion

A year ago, when the nation’s biggest banks settled with state and federal officials over claims of foreclosure abuses, the public was led to believe that the deal would allow millions of hard-pressed borrowers to escape the threat of foreclosure. It still hasn’t happened.

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Routed by Katrina, Stuck in Quagmire of Rules

Published in Friday February 22nd, 2013 In In the media

As people in the Northeast set off on the road back from Hurricane Sandy, there are those here who are keen to offer warnings that recovery can be far more difficult than they imagine. Mr. Joseph sees his own story as a cautionary tale, though he admits he is unsure what he would have, or should have, done differently.

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Despite Aid, Borrowers Still Face Foreclosure in the US

Published in Friday February 22nd, 2013 In In the media

A year after five of the nation’s biggest banks reached a pact with state and federal officials over claims of vast foreclosure abuses, the banks are taking credit for giving more than half a million struggling homeowners roughly $45.8 billion in relief.
But despite the banner numbers released on Thursday in a report by Joseph A. Smith, the independent overseer of the settlement, thousands of homeowners are still not getting the help they need to save their homes from foreclosure, according to interviews with housing advocates and homeowners facing foreclosure.

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The Special Rapporteur will visit the UK in September

Published in Friday February 15th, 2013 In News

The Special Rapporteur will conduct a mission to the United Kingdom between September 2-16, 2013. More information soon!

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Infonote about the study on security of tenure

Published in Friday February 15th, 2013 In News on the Rapporteurs

Security of tenure is a central component of the right to adequate housing. The lack of security of tenure – in law and practice – makes protection against forced eviction very difficult, leaving the most vulnerable at risk of a range of human rights violations.

In NY, Hoboken Mayor Seeks Storm Protection More Suitable for High-Rise Buildings

Published in Thursday February 14th, 2013 In In the media

Places long accustomed to the routine beatings of hurricanes have shaped this country’s traditional response to them: evacuate during the storm, then elevate the buildings or retreat inland to protect against the next onslaught.

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The Global Farmland Rush

Published in Friday February 8th, 2013 In Opinion

OVER the last decade, as populations have grown, capital has flowed across borders and crop yields have leveled off, food-importing nations and private investors have been securing land abroad to use for agriculture. Poor governments have embraced these deals, but their people are in danger of losing their patrimony, not to mention their sources of food.

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Thematic report on security of tenure will be presented to the Human Rights Council on March 4

Published in Tuesday February 5th, 2013 In News on the Rapporteurs

The UN Special Rapporteur will present her new thematic report on security of tenure on March 4th, 2013, during the Human Rights Council 22nd session. Click here to read the report.

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Land Grabs and Human Rights Violations Exposed in Liberia Ahead of Global Development Summit

Published in Monday February 4th, 2013 In In the media

Palm oil companies are grabbing more than 1.5 million acres of land in Liberia and are violating the human rights of local communities, warn Liberian NGOs including Friends of the Earth Liberia (SDI – Sustainable Development Institute), Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU) and Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development (SESDev).

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