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—A Consumer Action Project
Welcome to the Housing Information website, a project of Consumer Action. The Housing Information site is designed to help you make intelligent and cost-effective home-buying decisions by providing fact-based and unbiased information and tips.
News
- February 21, 2019 States, consumer groups blast CFPB’s fintech protections
- February 21, 2019 Which is more accurate: Zillow’s Zestimate or Redfin’s Estimate?
- February 21, 2019 Consumers still prefer paper bills, but can they make you go digital?
- February 20, 2019 Wall Street, with big tax breaks, sets sights on distressed main streets
- February 19, 2019 The biggest economic divides are local
CA News & Special Reports
Consumer Action INSIDER - February 2019 The February issue tells readers what to expect when filing taxes this year under the new tax "cuts"; details how one patient dealt with bad dental care; updates readers on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new director; and more! (Friday, February 01, 2019)
Five Recent Publications

FEMA spells federal disaster relief for homeowners and renters (Chinese).
聯邦緊急災難處理局(FEMA)在災難發生後提供各類救援計劃,協助受災者整修、重建,或更換他們的住屋及財產。這本刊物詳盡說明聯邦緊急災難處理局(FEMA)各項對於房屋業主及租客所提供的援助,也列舉了各項援助之合格指標及申請程序。刊物同時也特別指明FEMA的救援範圍始終有限,個人還是應該購買適當保險來加強保障。
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a variety of programs to help victims of disasters repair, rebuild or replace their homes and possessions. This publication describes the types of FEMA assistance available to homeowners and renters and provides details about program eligibility and the application process. It also highlights the limitations of FEMA assistance and stresses the importance of purchasing adequate personal insurance coverage.

Homeowners and renters insurance (Chinese) What you need to know before and after a natural disaster.
由於大多數的美國居民都住在會發生自然災害的風險地帶,所以幾乎每個家庭都應慎重考慮,在未來一旦失去家園或財產時將如何復原。本刊物詳盡說明哪些損失可以(或是不可以)得到房屋業主或租客的保險理賠; 如何確保購買足夠的保險; 當災難發生後你應該及時採取的求償步驟;以及在保險不足時你仍有哪些可求助的渠道。
With the majority of U.S. residents living in areas at risk of a natural disaster, most households need to seriously consider how they would recover from the loss of their home and possessions. This publication explains which disaster losses are—and are not—covered under a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy, how to make sure you are adequately insured, what steps to take to recover your losses after disaster strikes, and what your options are if your insurance falls short.

Homeowners and renters insurance What you need to know before and after a natural disaster.
With the majority of U.S. residents living in areas at risk of a natural disaster, most households need to seriously consider how they would recover from the loss of their home and possessions. This publication explains which disaster losses are—and are not—covered under a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy, how to make sure you are adequately insured, what steps to take to recover your losses after disaster strikes, and what your options are if your insurance falls short.

Đại đa số cư dân ở Hoa Kỳ sống trong nguy cơ gặp thiên tai, hầu như các gia đình cần nên chú trọng đến cách họ sẽ khôi phục lại các mất mát về nhà ở và tài sản của họ. Ấn bản này giải thích các mất mát nào do thiên tai được và không được hãng bảo hiểm bồi thường, dựa theo hợp đồng bảo hiểm thông thường của chủ nhà và người thuê nhà đã mua, để có bảo hiểm đúng mức, các bước cần làm để khôi phục lại các mất mát sau thiên tai, và các lựa chọn khác nếu hãng bảo hiểm không bồi thường hết cho quý vị.
With the majority of U.S. residents living in areas at risk of a natural disaster, most households need to seriously consider how they would recover from the loss of their home and possessions. This publication explains which disaster losses are—and are not—covered under a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy, how to make sure you are adequately insured, what steps to take to recover your losses after disaster strikes, and what your options are if your insurance falls short.

FEMA spells federal disaster relief for homeowners and renters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a variety of programs to help victims of disasters repair, rebuild or replace their homes and possessions. This publication describes the types of FEMA assistance available to homeowners and renters and provides details about program eligibility and the application process. It also highlights the limitations of FEMA assistance and stresses the importance of purchasing adequate personal insurance coverage.
Recommended Publications
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
In-language tools for homebuyers and borrowers. Language barriers have landed some limited English speaking consumers with mortgages they didn’t understand and couldn't afford. Now there are some new and improved tools designed to help LEP borrowers buy and keep a home.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Obtaining mortgage relief for victims of disasters. The National Consumer Law Center's (NCLC) updated and comprehensive guide explains what relief is available to victims of natural disasters, including insurance. NCLC also covers what rules apply to help homeowners save their homes from foreclosure.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Resources for those facing foreclosure after a natural disaster. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has compiled a list of resources for those who are facing foreclosure after a hurricane, wildfire or other natural disaster. It lays out steps to take to if you can't pay your mortgage with links to those who can help. Information is available in Spanish and English.
Friday, February 16, 2018
#FHAct50 honors the Fair Housing Act. The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) has launched a campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. #FHAct50 is designed to educate the American public about the importance of the Fair Housing Act and advocate for strengthened fair housing policies nationwide.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Wall Street landlords turn American dream into a nightmare. A new report exposes the harmful impacts Wall Street landlords are having on the growing single family rental market. Wall Street landlords are fundamentally changing homeownership in the U.S. with massive purchases of single-family homes, squeezing out tenants and prospective homeowners, particularly in communities of color, according to a report by Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) and Public Advocates.
More recommended publications »
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