Church air conditioning units gutted by copper thieves: "Salem Bible Church in Northwest Atlanta was hit weeks ago by copper thieves, but still they are still fighting to stay cool."

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 Church air conditioning units gutted by copper thieves: "Salem Bible Church in Northwest Atlanta was hit weeks ago by copper thieves, but still they are still fighting to stay cool."

Church air conditioning units gutted by copper thieves

Posted: Jun 13, 2011 5:01 PM EDT Updated: Jun 19, 2011 4:15 PM EDT

Submitted by Mike Paluska - email

ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) - Salem Bible Church in Northwest Atlanta was hit weeks ago by copper thieves, and they are still fighting to stay cool.
The church is renting two giant portable A/C units.  The units have air ducts running from outside into what used to be entryways into the church. The units were working hard to keep the temperatures down in the church for Sunday service.
With Georgia's oppressive heat staying steady in the mid to upper 90's, church officials say it's been a challenge keep parishioners cool.
The damage is estimated at more than $200,000.
In the past 24 hours, CBS Atlanta News has also learned another Salem Bible Church in Lithonia was hit by copper thieves.  Church officials are still trying to determine how much that will cost.
"You call it bad luck, I don't call it bad luck," said Pastor Jasper Williams.  "It's just part of life.  "We've had to make do.  You know, we make out, you either whine, complain and fall out;  Or, you get up and do it all over again, and I just opt to get up and do it again."
Williams brought in two portable A/C units to cool the church.   The president of Fleet Service America, Art  Benz, said it costs roughly a thousand dollars a day to fill the tanks with 200 gallons of diesel.
"It's not cheap, said Benz.
Benz said he is seeing more and more portable A/C units because of copper thefts.
"A lot of theft, a lot theft in copper," Benz said.  "Every time you turn around people are breaking into buildings."
Williams said his church has been hit before, but nothing like this.
"They took the copper out of all of the units," said Williams.  "But, we are fine.  We will do just fine."
Copyright 2011 WGCL.  All rights reserved.

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Atlanta Real Estate Receives Boost from U.S. Housing and Urban Development

According to a report in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on Tuesday that it will provide more than $52 million in grants to various parts of Georgia. The money is intended to increase the supply of affordable housing and support community development.
Specifically, Secretary Shaun Donovan said that Atlanta, Rome, Savannah and Augusta, as well as Cherokee, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties would be receiving grant money. The money will also help homeless individuals and families and those living with HIV or AIDs to obtain permanent housing.
According to HUD Regional Administrator Ed Jennings Jr., maintaining these programs is essential to supporting the housing market, even under the challenges posed by the nation’s debt situation. Grant money like this helps to produce affordable housing, promote community development, assist homeless people and support long-term disaster recovery.
The money for the $52 million in grants comes from the following sources: $27.5 million for Community Development Block Grant funds, $12.7 million in HOME Investment Partnerships funding, $10.5 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and $1.2 million in Emergency Shelter Grants.
For more Atlanta real estate news, stay tuned to Atlanta Real Estate Forum.

Top 10 US Cities With Highest Foreclosure Rates

Data shows that, on a nationwide basis, U.S. foreclosure activity slowed down slightly in the past year, according to RealtyTrac foreclosure data recently released. However, the CEO of RealtyTrac stated in a news release that foreclosures became more widespread last year, hitting markets that had previously avoided the foreclosure tsunami. Foreclosure rates were up in 72% of the nations metro areas, with Houston, Atlanta and Seattle increasing the most of the 20 largest metro areas. Most believe the high rate of foreclosures will continue at an extremely high rate due to the continuing high unemployment rates throughout the country in this jobless recovery.

HERE ARE THE U.S. MARKETS WITH THE HIGHEST FORECLOSURE FILINGS FOR 2010:
1. Las Vegas-Paradise, Nevada
2. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
3. Modesto, California
4. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida
6. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California
7. Stockton, California
8. Merced, California
9. Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida
10. Vallejo-Fairfield, California



May 23, 2011 By Dom
http://www.mastersoftrivia.com/blog/2011/05/top-10-us-cities-with-highest-foreclosure-rates/