Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness

Governor Bob Riley created the Governor’s Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness with the signing of Executive Order #31 on August 11, 2005. The Governor’s Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness was formed to develop and implement a plan to prevent and end homelessness in Alabama. I am honored that the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives was appointed the lead agency for the Council.

When creating the Council, Governor Riley recognized that in order to effectively work to end homelessness in Alabama there must be collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and service provider networks. It is in this spirit of collaboration that the members of the Council come from a diverse background in the public and private sector given that we all have an investment in ending homelessness in Alabama.

The State of Alabama already has a tremendous resource in its community, non-profit, and faith-based organizations helping those that are homeless. Many homeless service providers in Alabama act as national models of compassionate, creative, and effective programs addressing the various causes that leave people without a home. We are blessed to have such dedicated people aiding the homeless in our state.

National Consumer Protection Week (March 1-7)

As the petite young woman knelt on the bathroom floor for more than three hours, holding her shoulder-length blond hair away from the toilet bowl and retching up the remains of a night at Cornerstone Grill and Loft, she had only one thought in her mind: "At least I'm getting my dinner up."

For the sophomore business major, who shared her story on the condition of anonymity, this was as low as it got. Sitting there in a drunken haze, she reached for her cell phone and, without thinking, speed-dialed her boyfriend. She told him everything - how she lamented every calorie, how she could go for days on end without eating and how she hid it from everyone.

While that night may have been an all-time low, it proved to be a turning point by bringing her anorexia, a disease suffered in secret, out into the open.

The young woman I interviewed was brave enough to share some of the thoughts that swirled around in the mind of a person suffering from a terrible eating disorder. She felt comfortable telling me how there were days she ate nothing, but how on days when she ate only a single cracker and a diet soda, she felt fat and ugly. Unlike this young woman, many people who suffer from similar disordered eating patterns will never share their thoughts with anyone and may never reach out for help.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which runs February 22 to 28, exists to encourage people to embrace their body no matter what its shape or size. It exists to raise awareness of eating disorders and bring light to resources available both for those who suffer and for their friends and family.

It never hurts to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of an eating disorder. The National Eating Disorders Awareness organization provides additional information for teachers and coaches as well as information on counseling and other help options.

It's been a few years since I wrote that story, but in the time that's passed, I'm happy to say the young woman found a counselor, put on much of the weight she had lost and seems to be more comfortable in her own skin. She's also happily engaged. She was one of the lucky ones, who had supportive friends urging her to get help and was brave enough to admit she needed it.

Calculating Mutual Fees and expenses

Calculating Mutual Fees and expenses are an important consideration in selecting a mutual fund because these charges lower your returns. Many investors find it helpful to compare the fees and expenses of different mutual funds before they invest.

You can compare the fees and expenses of up to three mutual funds, or the share classes of the same mutual fund on the NASD’s Mutual Fund Expense Analyzer. You can also compare the fees and expenses of up to three ETFs using the same tool.

With just some basic information, you can use the tool to compare the costs of different mutual funds in a manner of seconds. That’s because the tool automatically provides fee and expense information for you. Simply enter each fund’s ticker symbol or select the fund through the drop down menu. If you can’t remember the full name of the fund, you can also search for the fund using key words.

A mutual fund’s fees and expenses may be more important than you realize. Advertisements, rankings, and ratings often emphasize how well a fund has performed in the past. But studies show that the future is often different. This year’s “number one” fund can easily become next year’s below average fund. On the other hand, independent studies show fees and expenses can be a reliable predictor of mutual fund performance.

Of course, selecting a mutual fund involves more than just picking one with low fees and expenses. Before you invest in any mutual fund, decide whether the investment goals and risks of the fund are a good fit for you and determine how it will affect the diversification of your entire portfolio. You can read about a fund’s goals, risks, and costs in its prospectus.

The SEC’s online, interactive Mutual Fund Cost Calculator can also help you compare the costs of different mutual funds and understand the impact that many types of fees and expenses can have over time. You can find this “classic” calculator at: http://www.sec.gov/investor/tools/mfcc/mfcc-intsec.htm. Unlike NASD’s Mutual Fund Expense Analyzer, you’ll need to enter fee and expense information manually from a prospectus or other disclosure document when using this tool.

International Real Estate

View Properties by Region

* South and Central Asia
* Middle East and North Africa
* Western Hemisphere
* Africa
* East Asia and the Pacific
* Europe and Eurasia

View Properties by Type

* Office Buildings
* Office/Industrial Combination (Flex Space)
* Industrial
* Warehouse
* Land
* Residential, Multi-Family, Apartments (Flats)
* Miscellaneous

View All International Real Estate for Sale

International Real Estate Disclaimer

Farms and Ranches for Sale

Farm Loan Program real estate for sale includes government owned real estate and potential foreclosure sales for farm and ranch properties, houses, lots, and buildings.

Homes for Sale by the U. S. Government

The HomeSales.gov web site provides current information about single family homes for sale by the U.S. Federal Government. These previously owned homes are for sale by public auction or other method depending on the property. Anyone can buy a home for sale by the U.S. Government, but you must work with a real estate agent, broker or servicing representative to submit an offer or bid.

Currently the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (USDA/Rural Development), and Veterans Affairs (VA) have homes listed on this site. Learn how to buy them.

For additional information regarding property listings, please contact the corresponding agency.
Agency Contact Information

How to Buy U. S. Government-owned Homes

Housing Counseling
HUD Homes
USDA/Rural Development Homes
VA Homes
Housing Counseling
Anyone interested in buying a home for sale by the U.S. Government, particularly first-time homebuyers, should seek assistance from a housing counseling agency approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD supports a network of approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling services across the nation. For a complete list of HUD approved agencies in your area, call the HUD housing counseling referral line toll-free at 1-800-569-4287 or visit the HUD website at .
HUD Homes
After you find a HUD Home on homesales.gov that you want to buy, you should find a real estate broker who can submit the bid for you. The broker can submit the bid online. Normally, HUD Homes are sold in an "Offer Period". At the end of the Offer Period, all offers are opened and the highest reasonable bid is accepted. If the home isn't sold in the initial Offer Period, you can submit a bid until the home is sold. Bids can be submitted any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. They will be opened the next business day. If your bid is acceptable to HUD, your real estate agent will be notified, usually within 48 hours.
For more information on HUD Homes:

USDA/Rural Development Homes
After you find a USDA/Rural Development home on homesales.gov that you want to buy, you should contact the local USDA/Rural Development servicing office, which will provide the most current and accurate information regarding the status of the home as well as your eligibility for potential program benefits. You can find the local servicing office contact information on the home's description web page. Depending on your circumstances and the status of the property listed, your method of bidding and ultimately purchasing the property may vary.
For more information on USDA/Rural Development Homes:

VA Homes
After you find a VA Home on homesales.gov that you want to buy you should have a real estate agent or the selling agent prepare the Offer to Purchase And Contract of Sale VA form, and complete all necessary documentation. Your agent will submit your offer through the listing broker for approval. The listing broker's name and telephone number are found at the beginning of each listing.
For copies of required forms and more information on VA homes