Albany, NY – January 26, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – Executive Deputy Commissioner Brian Lawlor participated in a press conference recently to announce the availability of free, quality foreclosure prevention counseling in the Capital Region and throughout the state. The event was held at the Holiday Inn in Albany where more than 100 housing counselors from not-for-profit agencies around the state were engaged in a week-long training session sponsored by DHCR and NeighborWorks® America. Capital Region-area counselors are members of the HomeSave Coalition, a Capital Region collaboration of housing counselors and legal service providers.
The training is part of the New York State Subprime Foreclosure Prevention Services Program, which combines direct service grants with quality foreclosure prevention training to provide a continuum of services to homeowners.
Lawlor encouraged homeowners to act quickly and reach out for help if they are at risk of foreclosure.
“Nobody wins in a foreclosure,” said Lawlor. “Not the homeowner, the lender, the neighbors or the community. Too many times people wait until it’s too late, and everybody’s hands are tied, and there’s really nothing you can do to help them.”
Deborah Boatright, Northeast District Director for NeighborWorks America, said “The professional training courses in foreclosure prevention offered this week will equip housing counselors throughout New York State with the critical knowledge and skills they need to help families find solutions that they can sustain.”
The housing agencies offer free counseling to develop action steps and an advocacy plan for each client. Counselors work with the homeowner to create a plan to present to their lender as well as referrals to attorneys or other services. Legal service providers help clients negotiate with their lender, and if necessary, represent their clients during settlement conferences.
“Families facing foreclosure should not pay a fee for foreclosure prevention services”, stated Susan Cotner, coordinator of the HomeSave Coalition and executive director of Affordable Housing Partnership. “Homeowners of any income are eligible to receive help from these non-profit agencies, including legal service providers.”
