DAVID SCOTT - CONGRESSMAN, REPRESENTING GEORGIA'S 13TH DISTRICT

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Helping Atlanta Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

Posted by on June 07, 2012

Last week, in College Park, 1,478 homeowners attended the “Help for Homeowners Event” at the Georgia International Convention Center. It was the fourth time the Obama Administration has sponsored an event for struggling homeowners in the Atlanta area. In total, 8,065 homeowners have been helped at events in Metropolitan Atlanta, and more than 275,000 families in the area have received assistance through government and mortgage servicer programs.

I attended this event to hear directly from homeowners about their experiences and to talk with community leaders about ways to help federal programs reach more families struggling with their mortgages. Almost 570 real estate agents and housing counselors participated in free seminars about the Administration's programs to help homeowners prevent foreclosure. Dozens of mortgage representatives from about 20 banks and 50 representatives from local HUD-approved housing counseling agencies also met with homeowners. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs helped more than 200 homeowners learn about HomeSafe Georgia, Georgia’s program through Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund, which provides up to 18 months of mortgage payment assistance while a homeowner is looking for work.

I saw first-hand how these in-person meetings between homeowners, mortgage servicers, and housing counselors can help resolve some of the major hurdles families face when trying to avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. From gaining a stronger understanding of the range of options available, to receiving help completing the documentation necessary to apply for a modification, homeowners left the event with a clearer path to assistance and, in many cases, a resolution to their mortgage problems.

Yet, we know there are more homeowners in the Atlanta area at risk of foreclosure that could benefit from these and other programs. That’s why I co-hosted an in-depth discussion between local government officials, business leaders, real estate agents, housing counselors, non-profit representatives, and mortgage servicers to share best practices, identify areas where stronger coordination was needed, and offer new ideas for helping struggling borrowers learn about their options and reach solutions. We were joined by Treasury Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability Tim Massad, Acting Federal Housing Administration Commissioner and HUD Assistant Secretary Carol Galante, and Mike Beatty, the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, who shared how the Home Safe Georgia program is implementing new approaches to increase participation rates.

If you are a homeowner struggling with your mortgage payments, know that help is available right now – and the sooner you seek it, the more options you may have. Information about events in your area and other resources are available at: MakingHomeAffordable.gov, or you can call 888-995-HOPE, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to receive free, expert advice from a HUD-approved housing counselor.

Did you attend one of these events? Were they helpful? What are your experiences in trying to obtain help for your mortgage problems? Comment below...

* A version of this blog ran on the Treasury Department's website at: http://www.treasury.gov/connect/blog/Pages/Helping-Atlanta-Homeowners-Avoid-Foreclosure-.aspx

Comments

The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.

Judy Atlanta commented on 6/12/2012

Good Morning Mr. Scott, I am happy to see that someone is finally trying to get the hardest hit money out in Ga. I have been a processor for a housing agency in South Carolina for the last 18 months assisting homeowners obtain hardest hit funds. I have told many residents about this program. I have a workshop scheduled with a regional church conference and have been requested to give out information on Georgia's Home Safe program. I have not been able to obtain any information. I would like to talk to you about how Ga. can be more aggressive and successful in getting the funds out.
edytha ross covington commented on 7/2/2012

sir just wanted to say thank god for you bank of america is working with me they approve me for a modification after i attended the college pk event i am so grateful my interested rate went from 5% to 4.25 on a trail basic for three month and if i pay on time i believe they will lower me again.
Virginia Brown Fairburn commented on 7/2/2012

A BIG thank you to Congressman Scott and his team for your extraordinary work to help homeowners save their homes and preserve our communities. The direct assistance I received from your staff with my mortgage in September 2010 resulted in a loan modification at a 2% rate. I am compelled to tell others about my experience and to express my gratitude in the spirit of giving back by volunteering for such events as Help for Homeowners. Participating in the event was equally rewarding as getting a favorable outcome on my own mortgage.
Dany Roy commented on 8/21/2012

The program DCA claims is helping homeowners avoid home loss has failed to help the massive numbers of people who really need help, and its DCA own fault for not getting the word out in the hardest hit neighborhoods aka minority neighborhoods. http://www.legaladvice.com.au
constance houshton commented on 9/10/2012

help me please. I am facing forclosusre and need help very badly. this is a very helpful program. I will await word from u.
Lamont Atlanta commented on 9/11/2012

I would like to thank David Scott on behalf of 850 Audit Systems for his work in the foreclosure struggle affecting so many in our neighborhoods. As the nations leading software provider for foreclosure prevention, we would like to offer our software to use in this overwhelming process. Contact us at http:www.850auditsystems.com
Gregory Ogletree Douglasville commented on 9/18/2012

Mr. Scott, Last year you tried to help me in saving my house with from foreclosure (Bank Of America). Thank You. The bank never let me complete the process, they told me that the notary paper work was done wrong and would not tell me what was wrong with it on three occassion. The Notary paper work was notarized by the Bank of Amercia. I do not understand how or why the are willing to work with the homeonwers. I have filed for chapter13 protection to save my home. I wonder how many other homeonwers have been denied modification from Bank of America, while giving them all the information they asked? I tried calling the case manager and they never returned my calls to see what I need to do. I wanted to let you know what was going on in this district concerning the Bank of America and Home loans. Thank you again Gregory K. Ogletree
Icey Berg commented on 9/23/2012

Being in Seattle, WA, it sure would be nice if we could get some help like this. There are a lot of people facing foreclosure, right now. It seems like the only people staying in their homes are the people that have loans with Bank of America because I think Bank of America is probably scared. We are actually on the other side of this, where we were able to buy a home even though we didn't have established credit. We found an article by one of the local real estate companies that informed us what we needed to do to buy a home in Seattle without credit. http://homesonthesound.com/2011/09/07/how-to-buy-a-home-in-the-seattle-with-no-credit/ These were actually some tips taken by Dave Ramsey. Now, let's hope the market goes the other way and we aren't one of these foreclosure victims.
Tom New York commented on 12/1/2012

Hi Congressman Scott It really is great that you and other are trying to help homeowners with their foreclosure problems. One thing that I think that is very important that is coming up for review in Congress is that of the Capital Gains that are associated with Short Sales. The Capital Gains tax that has been waived since President Bush implemented them in 2007 are set to expire at the end of this year. As you know these Capital Gains are not really Gains. What is your stance on keeping this important waiver in place? If let to expire the very people who need the most help will be affected the most. Thank you for the time. Tom K http://www.newyorkrealestateinvestor.com
Laura Quisenberry College Park, Georgia commented on 12/7/2012

Dear Congressman Scott: I want to Thank You and Mrs. Shirley Spencer for representing me and making yourself available for my dealings with my mortgager, MetLife Home Loans. As you know my home was up for foreclosure and because of your intervention MetLife seriously reviewed some errors they had made. I could not have hoped for a better outcome. Your office should have received MetLife's letter of their review. Words can not express how grateful we are for your assistance in this matter. Mrs. Spencer was persistent, diligent and graceful. I asked for your help because NACA suggested that I get your help. Together we were awesome. If I can be of help to you and your office, please let me know. Thank you so much. Mrs. and Mrs. Ozia Quisenberry (Laura)