In Housing News

VA Extends “Agent Orange” Benefits to More Veterans

US Dept of Veterans Affairs;
• (October, 2009) WASHINGTON – Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange.
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Hints of upturn evident in Va. home sales

Richmond Times Dispatch: Carol Hazard
• (April 24, 2009) Home sales in Virginia -- including the Richmond area -- continue to fall along with housing prices, but signs are emerging that the worst could be over, according to a report released yesterday by the Virginia Association of Realtors.
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Veterans score four victories during 2009 General Assembly Session

Dvs.virginia.gov; Anne Atkins, COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA JOINT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
• (February 7, 2009) RICHMOND—The Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations (JLC) recommended six legislative initiatives during this year’s General Assembly and came away with four victories. The JLC is comprised of representatives from 23 veterans service organizations, such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. These organizations have more than
  250,000 members in Virginia.
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Down-payment aid program resurfacing

Latimes.com; Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times
• (February 7, 2009) A congressman wants to revive the housing program, killed last year over default-rate concerns, that helps low- and moderate-income families. Supporters say it helps more buyers enter the market.
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Nursing rated among most ethical jobs in new gallup poll.

Gallupom; Lydia Saad, Gallup Poll
• "PRINCETON, N.J. (Nov. 24, 2008) - For the seventh straight year, nurses enjoy top public accolades in Gallup's annual Honesty and Ethics of professions survey. Eighty-four percent of Americans call their honesty and ethical standards either "high" or "very high."
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Restaurant Review: Halligan's (Local Firemen Hangout)

Richmond.com; Ginger Warder
• RICHMOND, VA (May 30, 2008) Owner Shawn Gregory, a 17-year fire service veteran, had a vision of a local hangout for his fellow firefighters and Halligan is the result. A 1973 Seagrave fire truck that Gregory found abandoned in a corn field has been cut in half to form the back bar. Beer taps protrude out of the pump panels and the lights and siren both work, so be prepared for salutes to firefighting patrons, big tippers and off-duty trucks rolling by on the street.
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What happened to affordable housing?

Workforcehomes.com; Carol Hazard, TIMES-DISPATCH
• "(Sep 25, 2007) - Megan Edwards, a registered nurse, is looking for a starter home for $200,000 or less. It would be nice if she could find a small rancher in Hanover County, where she grew up. Or in nearby Henrico County. So far, no luck. Edwards, 25, is moving from Seattle, so her mother is house-hunting for her."
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Spring Workforce: Rally at the state capitol to increase nursing funding

http://www.nursinginva.com; Joan Tupponce
• "RICHMOND, VA. (Feb. 7, 2007) By using the question “Who will care for you?” as their message to legislators, the assembled nurses proceeded to talk about important issues surrounding the impending nursing shortage — keeping budget amendments for raising faculty salaries in nursing schools and approving $200,000 of scholarships for nurses returning to school to get advanced degrees and become faculty."
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Housing Virginia explores the troubles in the housing pipeline.

Housingvirginia.org
• "They are the firefighters who saved your neighbor’s home, the police officers who keep your neighborhood safe, the teachers who teach your children and the young working families just trying to get a start. Yet for them, the cost to live in the neighborhoods where they work is too high."
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