CALL-FOR-ACTION ON HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT
C.A.R., in cooperation with NAR, has issued a Call-for-Action in support of extending the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit beyond its November 30th expiration date. You can do two things to help:

1. Call your Member of Congress to urge them to extend the tax credit. Call 1-800-961-3302 and, when prompted, enter your NRDS ID and home zip code to be connected to your legislator's office. (Note, if you wish to bypass most of the welcoming message, just begin entering your NRDS ID; if you wish to bypass most of the 2nd message, just hit "1" on your phone to be connected).

2.  Ask your clients to call as well. You can give them the same phone number and either give them your NRDS ID or "999999999" for the PIN number. Either way they will be connected to their own legislator's office which is determined by their home zip code.

More Info:  http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/campaign/hbtc?rk=tprwTd7al5hHE

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Obama administration recently announced a new initiative for state and local housing finance agencies, including CalHFA, that will help support low mortgage rates and expand resources for low and middle income borrowers to purchase or rent homes that are affordable over the long term at little or no cost to the taxpayer. This will give CalHFA access to the capital it needs to help fund mortgages for low and moderate income first-time homebuyers, and will give its housing partners even more options when it comes to CalHFA loans.

More Info:  http://www.gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/13660/

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CONSIDERING PARCEL TAXES TO COPE WITH BUDGET CRUNCH
Perhaps the first sign of how cities will attempt to cope with the state’s unprecedented budget crisis, a number of parcel taxes may appear on local ballots in upcoming elections.

According to the California Taxpayer’s Association, the town of Atherton, in San Mateo County, is using tax dollars to promote two parcel tax measures on the November 3 ballot.  A publication sent to all residents is devoted to the measures, and includes a list of recently completed community projects funded by parcel tax revenue, complete with color photos. Cal-Tax notes this is the latest in a long line of examples of local governments using tax dollars to campaign for higher taxes.

According to the taxpayer advocacy organization, a number of local governments are considering placing parcel taxes on ballots in the future, including the Napa Valley Unified School District, the Tracy City Council, the Palo Alto Unified School District, and the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District.

More Info:  http://www.caltax.org/caltaxletter/2009/100909_atherton_uses_tax_dollars.htm

INDIAN WELLS EXPANDS HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Indian Wells City Council voted recently to expand the Indian Wells Home Energy Assistance Link (IW HEAL) Program, the city's premier energy conservation initiative. The expansion includes adding new qualifying products such as hot water heaters, shade covers and awnings, window films and dual pane windows, tubular skylights and ducted evaporative cooling systems.

Council also agreed to make some changes to the program; they include pre-setting incentive amounts for each qualifying item, and offering increased household incentives limited to three items of the homeowner's choice each year. The city also plans to continue no-fee permits for HEAL qualified products and solar installations, and host more energy conservation educational events like the solar energy seminar that the city co-sponsored earlier this month.

Originally launched as a one-year pilot program in March of 2008, the IW HEAL program offers monetary incentives designed to help Indian Wells homeowners invest in energy efficiency and minimize utility costs. The program is available to homeowners on a first-come,  first-served basis. The program also encompasses the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) residential irrigation controller program, resulting in free weather-based “smart controllers” for all applicable Indian Wells homes.

More Info:  www.cityofindianwells.org
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