Department of Financial Services’ Help Available for Homeowners in Visits to Troy on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Albany on Thursday, Nov. 14
Albany, NY – November 12, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he is deploying the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Mobile Command Center (MCC) to sites in Troy and Albany to help provide foreclosure prevention assistance to struggling homeowners in the Capital Region.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in
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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in
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Department representatives will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to meet homeowners in the MCC at these locations:
Wednesday, Nov. 13 – 1 Monument Square in downtown Troy.
Thursday, Nov. 14 – Hudson-Jay Park, in Center Square in Albany, across from Wilborn Temple First Church, 121 Jay St.
“We are continuing to proactively deliver assistance to homeowners across the state that may be facing foreclosure,” said Governor Cuomo. “As part of the state’s foreclosure prevention initiative, we are deploying skilled staff from the Department of Financial Services directly to the Capital Region to provide struggling families with hands-on advice about the options available to help them save their homes.”
Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, said, “The Cuomo Administration is continuing to deploy in communities around our state to offer practical, common sense guidance to homeowners facing financial difficulties. We want to do everything we can to make sure New Yorkers with mortgage problems know there are potential options available to keep them in their homes and avoid foreclosure.”
Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia said, “I would like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Department of Financial Services for bringing its mobile command center to Troy on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Any help we can give to homeowners that are facing the devastating reality of losing their homes due to foreclosure is something we always want to do. We hope our residents will take advantage of this helpful and informative opportunity.”
Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said, “Home foreclosures hurt individual families and have a negative impact on our neighborhoods, so it’s important for all of us do whatever we can to help people stay in their homes. The state’s foreclosure prevention program was launched because Governor Cuomo understands the urgency of stemming foreclosures.”
Assembly member John McDonald said, “The DFS Mobile Command Center is a great opportunity for struggling homeowners to get the necessary assistance and advice to potentially save their homes from foreclosure. Unfortunately, there are many families struggling to pay their mortgages and this initiative provides them with access to skilled representatives who can provide guidance and resources in order to avoid foreclosure. Governor Cuomo understands the urgency of helping homeowners, and I’m proud to join him in encouraging residents to take advantage of our state’s foreclosure prevention program here in the Capital Region.”
The DFS foreclosure prevention program has been used to extend help to homeowners facing foreclosure since Governor Cuomo launched the program last year. The outreach program has visited locations throughout the state with high foreclosure rates.
Governor Cuomo will also deploy the DFS Mobile Command Center to additional locations in the coming days and weeks to help continue reaching struggling homeowners. Specific locations and dates will be announced shortly.
State Resources Available to Homeowners
The state’s foreclosure prevention program enables homeowners to have confidential meetings with DFS representatives who assess where homeowners are in the pre-foreclosure or foreclosure process. Depending on individuals’ specific situations, the specialists may offer homeowners assistance in such areas as:
Applying for mortgage modifications or providing help to homeowners who have already sought mortgage modifications.
Interceding on behalf of homeowners with their mortgage lenders or servicers.
Assisting homeowners in communicating with mortgage lenders or servicers.
Accepting complaints from homeowners who believe they were victimized by mortgage lending abuses, so complaints can be investigated by the Department.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved housing counselors will also be available to offer assistance to homeowners.
DFS also urged homeowners to be cautious of mortgage rescue scams, which may be marketed by private businesses. For example, homeowners should be wary of anyone asking for an upfront fee in exchange for getting a loan modification, saving a home from default or stopping a foreclosure or tax sale. New York law prohibits the collection of such fees in most cases. Also, many not-for-profit housing counselors will help homeowners negotiate with lenders for free.
Additionally, New Yorkers should be wary of anyone who says they can save a home if a homeowner signs or transfers the deed to his or her house over to them so the homeowner can catch up on mortgage payments or refinance a loan. A homeowner should never submit mortgage payments to anyone other than the homeowner’s mortgage company without its approval.
Homeowners unable to meet personally with DFS representatives are urged to the call the Department’s toll-free foreclosure hotline, 1-800-342-3736, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Homeowners may also file complaints using the Department website at www.ny.dfs.gov.
Contact:
Governor’s Press Office
NYC Press Office: 212.681.4640
Albany Press Office: 518.474.8418
press.office (at) exec.ny (dot) gov
