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HUD launches website for economic and housing data

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development unveiled a new website that consolidates economic and housing market data at the regional, state, metropolitan area and county levels. 

Using data from the Census Bureau, Labor Department, state and local governments, housing industry sources, as well as HUD's own field economists, the new website employs interactive maps that allow visitors to access a variety of reports -- from a region-wide look at employment and housing activity to individual county-level figures on population trends, rental activity and vacancy rates.

"This is a powerful new tool that's easy to use and offers the public a remarkable look at their local economic and housing markets," said Dr. Raphael Bostic, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. 

"Current and reliable data shouldn't be hard to come by. This is precisely why this site will be so helpful to state and local leaders, developers, the real estate industry, and the general public who need the latest available data on their markets."

HUD's new website displays an interactive map of the United States allowing visitors an intuitive way to seek data in a number of areas of geography -- from an entire region down to a particular county. 

To view the reports for a each region of the country, or for particular states, metropolitan areas or even counties, visit hud.gov.

Home Builders Association to announce officers

In a special awards ceremony Tuesday, the Southern Nevada Home Builders Assocaition, the trade group for area home builders, will announce its new president, Frank E. Wyatt of Nevada-based Pinnacle Homes Inc., and other officers for 2011.