CA Dream For All shared appreciation home loan provides up to 20% down payment assistance
STATEWIDE – The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), announced March 26, that the California Dream For All (DFA) loan information is now posted on their website. The first-time homebuyers program provides up to 20% down payment assistance in return for a share of the appreciation in the home’s value.
Read full storyApril fair housing workshop will discuss homebuyer education, downpayment assistance and tenant rights
HESPERIA – Homebuyer education, closing costs assistance and senior services are a few of the topics that will be discussed at the High Desert Association of Realtors’ (HDAOR) upcoming workshop. For Fair Housing Month, the association will be hosting a free event, April 20, featuring speakers, resources and a continental breakfast.
Read full storyVictorville Sings! auditions taking place May 17
VICTORVILLE – Victorville is holding singing auditions, May 17, for a chance to perform at the Concerts in the Park summer concert series. Youth aged 7 to 17 will be crowned Victorville Sings! champions and win other prizes.
Read full storyCA compensating people who were forcibly sterilized at state institutions until Dec. 31
STATEWIDE – The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) is awarding money, until December 31, 2023, to people who lived in state-run hospitals, homes and institutions through 1979 that were involuntarily sterilized. In addition, people who were in custody of a state prison or other correctional facility after 1979 and forcibly sterilized are also eligible for compensation.
Read full storyValue Added Producer Grant awards up to $250,0000 for farmers
STATEWIDE – The US Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications, due May 11, for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program with priority given to beginning and socially-disadvantaged farmers. The program awards up to $250,000 to help farmers develop new products, expand their businesses, and access new markets.
Read full storyAlfa Apts. loan to be auctioned starting at $300,000 for non-performance
BARSTOW -- Commercial real estate firm Kidder Mathews, is auctioning a non-performing commercial real estate loan with a starting bid of $300,000 on April 3, 2023. The loan is secured by Alfa Apartments -- 48-unit, five freestanding multi-family buildings on approximately 2.3 acres.
Read full story32 Hour Work Week Act reintroduced to Congress
NATIONWIDE – Congressman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced, for a second time, the “32 Hour Work Week Act” earlier this month that would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours.
Read full storyWater District terminates Emergency Water Conservation Program for nearly 7 Million So Cal residents
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) decided, Tuesday, to terminate the Emergency Water Conservation Program after winter storms increased water supply. The termination lifts the restricted outdoor watering placed on nearly 7 million Southern California residents last summer.
Read full storyWorkforce Development Youth Program offers paid work experience
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Youth Program is an initiative aimed at helping young people in San Bernardino County prepare for and secure employment opportunities. The program focuses on providing youth aged 16-24 with paid work experience, job readiness and job placement.
Read full storyFishery council proposes to cancel 2023 salmon fishing -- salmon association argues water mismanagement
STATEWIDE – The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) proposed March 10, to close salmon fishing off the coast of California for 2023. The council will take public comment, March 21, for consideration before a finalized decision in April.
Read full storyOro Grande Roundup celebrates community’s history April 15
ORO GRANDE – Local artisans, food and a car show are on the schedule for this year’s Oro Grande Roundup, set for April 15. The event celebrates the history of the community in the High Desert with proceeds going towards revitalizing the local post office.
Read full storyCA amendment would make housing a human right
STATEWIDE – Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco introduced, Wednesday, ACA 10 – a measure that would make housing a constitutional right in California. If lawmakers approve the proposal, the constitutional amendment would be put on the ballot for vote.
Read full storySan Bernardino County offering $500 reimbursement for snow removal
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – San Bernardino County is now offering up to $500 in reimbursement to residents and business owners to cover snow removal costs. Costs incurred between February 22 – May 1, 2023 are eligible for reimbursement.
Read full storyTax deadline and payment extended to October 16 for disaster relief
STATEWIDE – The IRS updated their site giving California storm victims until October 16, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. California state tax deadline and payment are also extended to October 16.
Read full storyClean Air Month Poster Contest awarding cash prizes to K-12 students
VICTORVILLE – The Mojave Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) is hosting a Clean Air Month Poster Contest for K-12 students to win cash prizes. The district invites students to help illustrate features of the Mojave Desert that make it unique – entries due by April 27, 2023.
Read full storyApple Valley Bank of America net lease selling for $3.9 Million
APPLE VALLEY – The Jess Ranch Marketplace Bank of America net lease is available for purchase for $3.9 million. The absolute net lease agreement allows the owner to collect an annual $175,616 net operating income while Bank of America is responsible for all property related expenses including the rent, taxes, insurance, and building maintenance.
Read full storyFreddie Mac survey shows 30-year mortgage rates increase to 6.65 percent
NATIONWIDE – Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Survey, Thursday, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.65 percent. This is up from last week when it averaged 6.50 percent.
Read full storyBLM to reopen Calico Early Man site
BARSTOW – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reopening the Calico Early Man Site after eliminating public safety hazards. BLM invites the public to visit the site for self-guided tours and to learn more about one of the most significant archaeological sites in the United States.
Read full storyCA Assembly member wants to fine businesses $25 per day for printing paper receipts
STATEWIDE – California Assembly Member Phil Ting held a press conference for the “Skip the Slip” bill, Thursday, that would require businesses to print out receipts only when customers ask for them. Ting says the bill would save 3 million trees and 10 billion gallons of water yearly, in addition to reducing human exposure to the receipt’s toxic chemical coating.
Read full storyHigh Desert cities make bottom of list for money management skills
VICTORVILLE – WalletHub put out the Best and Worst Cities at Money Management, Tuesday, ranking over 2,500 cities in the US. Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Victorville and Adelanto come in near the bottom of the list for 2023.
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