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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 11, 2001
Contact:  Mike Gugino
Public Information Officer
(916) 445-4775

State Expands E-Government Online Services For Housing

SACRAMENTO - The Davis Administration announced today expansion of e-government services available to on-line customers for escrow openings and title searches of mobilehomes, manufactured homes and commercial coaches.

This new online government-to-business services will allow escrow companies, lenders and title companies to conduct important business with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) instantly, 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

"By improving our e-government online capabilities, we are reaching out to make it easier for people to do business with their government," said California Business, Transportation and Housing Secretary Maria Contreras-Sweet.

Arun Baheti, the State's Director of E-Government, added, "This project is an example of how government can use information technology to make state services and programs more accessible, and reflects the Governor's vision for improved customer service. California is delivering on the Governor's promise of using the web to improve the experience of all citizens with government -- at the DMV, enrolling children in Healthy Families, or helping businesses."

The new HCD online services offer one-stop title search and escrow opening capabilities. Customers will be able to create immediate moratoriums on title records during the sale. HCD's website will also enable customers to perform title searches on mobilehomes, manufactured homes or commercial coaches.

Last year, the Department launched a highly successful on- line registration renewal service for mobilehomes, manufactured homes and commercial coaches. The Departments automated process allows individual homeowners and other customers to renew their registration, instantly. Customers receive their registration card in the mail within just a few days.

For more information, visit the HCD website at www.hcd.ca.gov. The California Department of Housing is a department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Contreras-Sweet, a member of the Governor's Cabinet.