DYFS plan involves aid for housing - 2004-02-17
State officials yesterday unveiled $37 million in housing programs to help address the state's troubled child-welfare system.

The cost of the seven-part housing plan would be spread over five years and be separate from that of the DYFS plan, which is expected to cost $125 million. The housing plan would provide loan, mortgage and rental help for families and children in the DYFS system and for foster and adoptive families.
Read the full story at Philadelphia Inquirer

Fannie Mae bumps up 2004 US mortgage forecast - 2004-02-17
Expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve is unlikely to increase interest rates soon and mortgage rates will stay just above historic lows caused Fannie Mae on Tuesday to revise upward its outlook for mortgage lending in 2004.

"Mortgage market indicators remain very strong. Fannie Mae now estimates total single-family originations for 2004 will be about $1.9 trillion and residential mortgage debt outstanding will grow at an annualized rate of 9.4 percent," Fannie Mae said.
Read the full story at Reuters via iWon