Now that COVID-19 is spreading in the US, I thought it might be helpful to view the data at a more granular level. Follow along as I plot the county data on a map and discuss how the color-binning can influence people's perception of the data. Maps like this can [...]

The post Tracking Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the US at the state/county level appeared first on Graphically Speaking.

As we continue to process and understand the ongoing effects of the novel coronavirus, many of us have grown used to viewing COVID-19 dashboards and visualizations, including this popular coronavirus dashboard from SAS. If you are more accustomed to building graphs and visualizations using the SGPLOT and SGPANEL procedures, this [...]

The post Visualizing COVID-19 data using SGPLOT and SGPANEL appeared first on Graphically Speaking.

Belgium, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Serbia and Spain have won their groups to join Russia in the finals, with the eight play-off teams now also confirmed.

These European Qualifiers set new records for overall goals scored in FIFA World Cup preliminaries and for the highest-scoring individual and team campaigns.

The draw for the FIFA World Cup play-offs has been made: Northern Ireland v Switzerland, Croatia v Greece, Denmark v Republic of Ireland, Sweden v Italy.

Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland and Greece are in Europe's FIFA World Cup play-offs – UEFA.com looks at their credentials.

Supporters all over the world can enjoy expansive coverage of the European play-offs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup thanks to UEFA's broadcast partners.

Gianluigi Buffon won his 175th and final Italy cap on Monday, a record for a European. Could that soon be under threat, though? We check out the top ten.

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski finished top scorer in the European Qualifiers with a record 16 goals ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen.

Denmark overwhelmed Ireland to claim Europe's last FIFA World Cup berth after Sweden ousted Italy to follow Switzerland and Croatia through.

Russia laid down a marker with an entertaining draw against Spain while Germany twice came from behind to deny France. Check out how Europe's FIFA World Cup hopefuls got on.

The identity of Europe's 14 representatives at next summer's FIFA World Cup is now known. We check out their pedigree.

The 32-team line-up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is complete, with holders Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Poland and France joining the hosts in Pot 1 for the draw.

Holders Germany will face Mexico, Sweden and South Korea at the World Cup finals, with all-European group contests as England meet Belgium, and Spain play Portugal.

Who has played who in the eight FIFA World Cup groups? UEFA.com reads the auguries for the 14 European sides who will be competing in next summer's finals in Russia.

Europe's FIFA World Cup hopefuls continued their preparations this month.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has announced an important change to its homebuyer program that will allow qualified non first-time homebuyers to purchase a home in Delaware using a low, 30-year fixed-rate home loan.

Governor Jack Markell, Delaware State Housing Authority, and their partners are pleased to announce the launch of a free housing locator website providing information about rental housing across the First State.

Governor Markell and the Delaware State Housing Authority announced the launch of a free housing locator website providing information about rental housing across the First State.

Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) along with Governor Markell and their partners today held the 2012 Governor’s Conference on Housing. The event brought together over 400 housing professionals and residents from throughout Delaware and surrounding states to discuss important issues in housing ranging from homeownership, affordable rental housing, special needs populations and other hot topics. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss regional, state and local perspectives on today’s affordable housing climate, and the event provided strategies to address current and future housing needs.

Loans for Heroes, which provides veterans with reduced mortgage rates, has funded $3.3 million in mortgage loans since it launched in May of 2012.

Delaware awarded $5.1 million to create and sustain 170 units of affordable housing over five years for persons with disabilities through the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program.

The new Manufactured Housing Assistance Program (MHAP) has been made available through Delaware Homeowner Relief — a partnership of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.

Governor Jack Markell joined Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi and other federal, state and local officials to celebrate Delaware Homeownership Month and to announce a new program that will allow first-time homebuyers to claim a credit on their federal income taxes.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office joined forces to launch “Delaware Homeowner Relief”, an initiative created using a portion of funds Delaware received through the Multistate Mortgage Foreclosure Settlement between the federal government and five of the nation’s largest mortgage-servicing banks.

Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi today announced that DSHA was awarded $91,722 from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for comprehensive housing counseling services to be performed by three sub-grantees – First State Community Action Agency, NCALL Research, Inc., and YWCA Center for Homeownership. This is the first time DSHA has received funding as an intermediary for comprehensive counseling services from HUD.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) today announced that 17 communities and scattered sites will receive funds from the state’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). More than $2.85 million will be divided amongst the municipalities of Kent and Sussex Counties for housing rehabilitation, water/sewer hookups, demolition, a planning study, street repair, curb/sidewalk installation, and administration to benefit low- to moderate-income families and individuals.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced last month that it will be taking the lead in a new outreach project designed to expand the relief options available to homeowners who are struggling with their mortgages. The Making Home Affordable Outreach and Intake Project aims to help homeowners avoid mortgage default by seeking resolutions through the Making Home Affordable (MHA) Program, the cornerstone of President Obama’s plan to offer lasting relief to homeowners in financial distress.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), in partnership with five local housing counseling agencies, is hosting “Keeping Your Home Afloat”, a Statewide Foreclosure Prevention Open House, on Monday, July 22nd from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Attendees will learn how the Making Home Affordable Program may be able to help them reduce the amount they owe on their mortgage. Homeowners who are “underwater”, or owe more than their homes are worth, are especially encouraged to come get more information about the MHA Program’s Principal Reduction Alternative.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) will be holding a free Small Business Contractor Forum on Thursday, September 5, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Liberty Court Community Building, 1289 Walker Road in Dover.

Governor Markell will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at Heron Run Apartments in Smyrna.

DSHA has partnered with the Department of Education (DOE) to offer reduced interest rates on mortgages for teachers in the Delaware Talent Cooperative, a group of high performing educators who have committed to work in schools with a significant proportion of disadvantaged students

Delaware’s State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) received national attention last week when it was honored with an Award for Program Excellence during the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) 2013 Annual Conference & Showplace in New Orleans, LA. This year’s conference was attended by more than 900 affordable housing industry professionals.

Three former shelter residents today have a home to call their own thanks to the efforts of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing (DIMH) which together celebrated the milestone of the 500th home assisted through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) by opening DIMH’s first permanent supportive housing residence in Dover. This previously foreclosed and vacant home will provide stable housing for employed, income-qualified residents formerly housed at DIMH’s shelter.

Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announces the recipient of the 2013 Top Producing Lender Award - Trident Mortgage. Last year, Trident Mortgage successfully secured more than $29 million in mortgage loans for 188 families through DSHA’s homeownership programs. This is the fifth year in a row Trident Mortgage has earned DSHA’s Top Producing Lender Award, helping more than 710 families with more than $113 million in DSHA’s mortgages since 2009.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), in partnership with The Money School and the Delaware Federation of Housing Counselors, held its annual Homebuyer Fair on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. The Fair – geared toward providing prospective homebuyers with the opportunity to learn about the steps in purchasing a home – was a great success for the fourth year in a row.

Governor Jack Markell today joined Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi and other federal, state, and local officials to celebrate Delaware Homeownership Month and to announce the extension of a program that allows first-time homebuyers to claim a credit on their federal income taxes.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) honored students in the DSHA housing community for achieving academic excellence by making the honor roll and having perfect attendance, with a luncheon and awards ceremony at Polytech High School in Woodside, Delaware.

Governor Jack Markell today joined Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) for the release of the Delaware Housing Needs Assessment 2015-2020. The report, prepared by GCR Incorporated of New Orleans, Louisiana and The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will drive planning for housing resources at DSHA and in communities around the State. With this new analysis of housing needs and market conditions in the state for years 2015-2020, DSHA will be identifying priorities for the next five years and evaluating its programs and strategies.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Senator Chris Coons and Newark Mayor Polly Sierer were among the officials who joined representatives from Ingerman today to break ground on Alder Creek, Delaware’s newest affordable housing community. Other attendees included State Representative Paul Baumbach, DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi, HUD Regional Administrator Jane Vincent, Newark Housing Authority Executive Director Marene Jordan, Ingerman Development Principal David Holden and Capital One Vice President Thomas Houlihan.

Residents of the Liberty Court community in Dover joined Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi, Sherani Patterson, Population Health Manager at Nemours, and Cassandra Codes-Johnson, Delaware Division of Public Health’s Director of Community Health to celebrate the kick-off of the Healthy Homes Initiative. Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, Senator Brian Bushweller, and Representative Darryl Scott were also on hand for the festivities. The initiative promotes Safe Cleaning, which is designed to reduce asthma-related hospitalization by educating residents on asthma awareness, safe cleaning techniques, and pest management. The event featured face-painting for the children, refreshments, and the 4-H Club distributed raffle tickets for door prizes.

Governor Jack Markell and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi announced today the launch of the Downtown Development Districts (DDD) Grant Program.

Governor Jack Markell today joined Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi and Attorney General Matt Denn, along with other elected officials, to announce the recipients of $2.755M from the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund. Governor Markell has laid out a bold vision for Delaware by implementing a comprehensive approach to strengthening communities and rebuilding neighborhoods. In conjunction with Downtown Development District designations, which gives access to financial assistance for real property improvements, the newly created Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund (SNHF) is another incentive to invest in our future.

Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Delaware Council of Faith-Based Partnerships will be hosting a free Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in the Carvel State Office Building, 3rd Floor Conference Room, at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, Delaware.

Governor Jack Markell today joined Delaware State Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, Delaware Americorps, Delaware Association of Realtors, Home Builders Association of Delaware, and Delaware Health and Social Services to proclaim June as Homeownership Month.

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has been honored by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for outstanding financial reporting. DSHA’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report earned a Certificate of Achievement for the twentieth consecutive year.

This morning, Congressman John Carney (D-DE) visited Liberty Court Apartments in Dover to announce new legislation to improve affordable housing options. The Housing Assistance Reform Act would increase housing options for low-income Americans and help housing authorities raise capital for affordable housing projects. The legislation would expand access to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Moving to Work program from 39 local housing authorities to 60, and eliminate the current unit cap for the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, allowing any eligible housing authority to participate.

Governor Jack Markell joined Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi to announce two new homeownership programs that will help make homeownership more affordable. DSHA-Paid Mortgage Insurance (MI) will give buyers a lower monthly housing payment by removing the requirement that they purchase mortgage insurance if they do not have a 20% downpayment at the time of settlement. The Home Purchase Rehab program will allow buyers to purchase a home at a low interest rate and make repairs and/or energy improvements in one simple loan.

On any given night, 100 Veterans in Delaware are homeless. For seven years, Henry Smith was one of them. An honorably discharged Veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Smith lived off and on in rooming houses and in 2015 was referred by the Wilmington VA Medical Center to Connections’ VA-funded Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. SSVF provides a range of supportive services and assistance to help Veterans secure housing stability. He entered the program on November 5, 2015 and was housed on December 3. “After being homeless for seven years, I thought housing was impossible,” said Mr. Smith. “My apartment is quiet, clean, and well-kept. Connections worked hard to establish a rapport with the landlord, and I hope more vets get the opportunity to be housed.”

Downtown revitalization efforts in Wilmington, Dover and Seaford continue to gain momentum, with new projects in all three counties slated to receive funding from Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts program.