Weekly Report 3-33

FEMA and Ad Council Encourages the Black Community to “Create a Lasting Legacy” by Preparing for Disaster

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

National Preparedness Month was last month, and FEMA and the Ad Council have released new Ready Campaign Public Service Announcements (PSAs), developed specifically to target Black and African American communities as part of FEMA’s ongoing approach to advance accessibility and cultural competency in boosting the nation’s preparedness.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks visited Howard University, a founding member of the HBCU Emergency Management Workforce Consortium, for a series of events kicking off National Preparedness Month and announcing the new Ready Campaign.

Black communities are on the frontlines of climate change and related extreme weather events. A report from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that socially vulnerable populations, including Black and African American communities, may be more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change. Specifically, with global warming, Black and African American individuals have a 10% higher risk of living in areas with the highest projected inland flooding damages compared to reference populations.

“Black and African American communities often suffer disproportionate impacts from disasters. This is something that we must work to change and

that starts with how we prepare,” said Administrator Criswell. “Our 2022 Ready campaign speaks directly to the communities who need our help the most and who deserve equitable access to preparedness resources that protect people and property. By continuing to advance accessibility and cultural competency in our preparedness messaging, we can make sure that everyone is ready when disaster strikes.”

The Ready Campaign PSAs, entitled “A Lasting Legacy” will run nationwide in both Spanish and English, and are meant to help mitigate these discrepancies by encouraging Black communities to protect the lives they have built and the legacies they will leave behind through preparation and disaster readiness. These new PSAs build upon the work the FEMA is doing to advance equity and ensure everyone gets the help they

need

before, during, and after a disaster.

“Preparing for disaster is not just about protecting people and property, it’s about safeguarding the lives we’ve built and the legacy we will leave to our children and the generations to come,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks. “With this campaign, FEMA reaffirms our commitment to equity and says loud and clear that every community deserves to be protected from hazards.”

FEMA’s Ready Campaign PSAs were developed pro bono by Creative Theory agency in coordination with the Ad

Council and are available today in TV, radio, print, out-of-home and digital formats. Throughout the month, the Ready Campaign will emphasize unique aspects of preparedness, such as making a plan, building a kit, and teaching communities how to engage their families in emergency preparedness.

“We all want to protect our families, whether that’s our grandparents or our grandchildren,” said Ad Council Chief Campaign Development Officer Michelle Hillman. “This latest creative work is grounded in the importance of family and reminds us that preparation can make sure that our loved ones endure whatever disasters life sends our way.”

This round of creative work for the Ready Campaign builds upon the annual month-long campaign activities to engage communities and promote the steps to prepare for disasters. Last year’s theme was “Prepare to Protect” and was designed to resonate with Latino communities. As a direct result of that campaign, the Listo.gov—the Spanish version of Ready.gov—had a 500% increase in visits to the “Make a Plan” page and a 400% increase in visits to the “Build a Kit” page.

This is the latest round of work in 19 years of educating the public about disaster and emergency preparedness.

For more information and to get started on your emergency plan, visit ready.gov/plan or listo.gov/plan.

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

What To Do if Your Mortgage Application Is Denied

By d-mars.com News Provider

f you dream of homeownership, having your mortgage application denied can be devastating. If this does happen to you, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Thirteen percent of all purchase mortgage applications -- a total of nearly 650,000 -- were denied in 2020, according to federal government data.

Before quickly reapplying for a loan, it’s important to first understand the reasons your loan was denied. The lender is required to disclose that information to you within 30 days of its decision. You can also call your lender for further explanation. Having this knowledge will help you work toward building your eligibility for a mortgage.

In some instances, the situation involves a quick fix, such as providing missing or incomplete documentation. However, if the reasons cited for your application denial involve down payment cost, a low credit score, an adverse credit history, or a high debt-toincome ratio, here are six steps you can take toward recovery:

1. Consult a Housing Counselor. Consider speaking to a community-based credit counselor or a HUD-certified housing counselor. They can help you create a plan to increase your savings, decrease your debt, improve your credit, access down payment assistance, or take advantage of first-time homebuyer programs.

2. Improve Your Credit. In a 2022 Freddie Mac survey of consumers who denied a mortgage application in the past four years, three in five cited debt or credit issues as reasons given for their initial denial. If this describes you, take time to improve your credit profile before applying for another loan. Good credit demonstrates responsible money management

and gives you more purchasing power, opening doors to better loan terms and products. Visit creditsmart. freddiemac.com to access Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart suite of free financial education resources that can help you understand the fundamentals of credit and prepare you for homeownership.

3. Pay Down Debt. In the application process, lenders will look at your recurring monthly debts, such as car payments, student loans, and credit card loans. By lowering or paying down monthly debts, you can build a positive credit history and lower your debt-to-income ratio. Not sure where to start? Tackle your debt with the highest interest rate first.

4. Obtain Gift Funds. If you’re short on money for your down payment, you may be able to use gift funds from a family member to decrease the amount you need to borrow.

5. Find a Co-Signer. A co-signer applies for the loan with you, agreeing to take responsibility for the loan should you default. The co-signer’s credit, income, and debts will be evaluated to make sure they can assume payments if necessary. In addition to ensuring your co-signer has good credit, you should make sure they are aware of this responsibility and have sufficient income to cover the payment.

6. Look for a Lower-Cost Home. Remember, you should only borrow an amount you feel comfortable repaying. You may need to look for a lower-cost home than you’re financially prepared to purchase and maintain.

For more information and additional resources, visit myhome.freddiemac.com.

If your home loan application is denied, don’t panic. There are ways to build your eligibility so that next time, your mortgage application is more likely to be approved.

Source: StatePoint

By d-mars.com News Provider

3G Is Going Away – What It Means for You S

imilar to how the ways we listen to music and watch movies have changed, cellular networks are evolving too. In fact, all major wireless providers plan to shutter their 3G cellular networks this year.

3G networks are the wireless equivalent of being on dial-up internet access years ago. Built in the early 2000s, 3G networks are slower, less efficient, and not equipped to support the way we use smartphones today. Americans increasingly depend on their ability to connect to the internet for just about everything and the latest generation of wireless, 5G, is capable of delivering massively faster speeds, enabling and improving everything we rely on our smartphones to do.

As wireless companies continue to invest in building out their 5G networks, 3G networks will be shut down to make room for this new technology and, ultimately, deliver a vastly superior wireless experience. That’s because there’s a limited supply of available spectrum -- the airwaves that wireless signals use. Wireless companies can take the airwaves once used for 3G and start using them to add more bandwidth to 5G. And more spectrum means better coverage and faster speeds for consumers.

If you have a phone that still relies on 3G , your wireless provider will contact you before their planned shutdown, and you’re most likely eligible for a free device upgrade.

Even if your phone isn’t from the 3G era, if you aren’t yet one of the millions who’ve upgraded to 5G , the end of 3G means it’s time to trade up for a new device that can take full advantage of faster 5G networks, according to industry experts. Keeping affordability and connectivity in mind, wireless providers are always offering deals.

Research 5G coverage and speeds from the providers where you live and like to travel. The wireless industry has changed significantly since the 3G era, so you may be surprised to learn which network is delivering the fastest and most reliable coverage today. T-Mobile was the first wireless provider in the United States to launch nationwide 5G and, thanks to its merger with Sprint in 2020, it now has the largest, fastest, and most reliable 5G network, covering nearly everyone in the country.

It’s also a good time to take a look at your phone plan, especially if you’re on a limited data plan and want to stream music and videos – or just stop hunting for Wi-Fi. Along with great coverage, find a plan with built-in benefits, such as free international data roaming, gas savings, and discounts on everyday items to make the most out of your mobile phone.

For more information on the future of 5G, visit t-mobile.com/5G.

Connectivity is more essential today than ever, underscoring the importance of the evolution to 5G. From entertainment and gaming to education, the latest wireless technology can connect you to everything that matters, faster than ever before.

Source: StatePoint