WNYC reports, “HUD Secretary, a New Yorker, Details Approach for Sandy Rebuilding.”

“5 big US banks have cut mortgage balances by $6.3B,” writes The Associated Press.

Bloomberg News says, “Record-Low Mortgage Rates May Lift Housing: U.S. Economy Preview.”

“HUD grant to help Central Nebraska disabled veterans,” posts The Independent.

And the Los Angeles Times reports, “Kobe Bryant leads thousands in walk to end homelessness.”