NYC Mayor Mamdani Launches Expedited Process to Approve Affordable Housing on City-Owned Land

by Phil Hall | Mar 25, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has unveiled Neighborhood Builders Fast Track, an expedited process designed to speed the delivery of affordable housing on city-owned land. Under this new initiative, the city’s Department of Housing and Preservation Development...

Sen. Hawley Begins Investigation into FICO’s Mortgage Credit Score Pricing

by Phil Hall | Mar 25, 2026 | Current News & Events, Mortgage Information, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) announced he has begun an investigation into the Fair Isaac Corp. (NYSE: FICO) to determine if the company’s pricing practices in the mortgage credit scoring market has contributed to the affordability challenges in the housing market. Hawley...

Chicago Housing Authority Commissioner Accused of Section 8 Voucher Fraud

by Phil Hall | Mar 25, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

An internal investigation by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) has determined Commissioner Debra Parker has committed housing voucher fraud. WBEZ reports Parker, who has served on the CHA board since 2018, has participated in the Housing Choice Voucher program (also...

Mortgage Application Activity Drops by 10.5%

by Phil Hall | Mar 25, 2026 | Current News & Events, Mortgage Information, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

Mortgage application activity slowed during the week ending March 20, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The Market Composite Index, the MBA’s measure of mortgage loan application volume, dropped by 10.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one...

Illinois Home Prices Rise While Sales Decline

by Phil Hall | Mar 25, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

A total of 7,356 homes were sold in Illinois during February, a 5.9% decline from the 7,820 sold one year earlier. According to data from Illinois Realtors, the 17,685 homes available for sale statewide last month were 5.6% less than the 18,731 homes available in...