For Immediate Release
(202) 224-5653

FEINGOLD, KOHL, MOORE, BALDWIN PUSH FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED WISCONSINITES

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Russ Feingold, Herb Kohl, Congresswomen Gwen Moore and Tammy Baldwin are pushing for Wisconsin to receive funding to help out of work Wisconsinites avoid foreclosure.  In a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today, the Wisconsin lawmakers are urging the department to ensure Wisconsin receives assistance through the HUD Emergency Homeowners Loan Program, which is targeted to prevent foreclosures for the unemployed.  The department recently announced $1 billion in funding for the program, but has not yet determined which states will be eligible.  According to RealtyTrac, Wisconsin has the 19th highest foreclosure rate in the country, with one out of every 199 Wisconsin housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in the second quarter of 2010. 

"While we work to put people back to work, it is important that we also work to assist unemployed homeowners struggling to keep their homes.  We look forward to working with you to ensure that Wisconsin receives its fair share of the assistance targeted to prevent foreclosures for the unemployed," they wrote.

For more information on the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program visit http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2010/HUDNo.10-176 .  A copy of Feingold, Kohl, Moore and Baldwin's letter can be viewed below.

August 24, 2010  

The Honorable Shaun Donovan
Secretary
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC  20410

Dear Mr. Secretary,

We applaud your recent efforts to curb the high rate of foreclosures throughout the country.  During this difficult time, the administration and Congress need to help homeowners struggling to find employment.             

The recently announced Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency Homeowners Loan Program, which is targeted to prevent foreclosures for homeowners struggling with unemployment, is an important step in tackling the issue at the heart of the foreclosure crisis.  We understand that HUD is currently in the process of determining the targeted communities that will be eligible for funding under this program.             

We strongly recommend that you consider our home state of Wisconsin when determining the eligibility for this program.  As you know, Wisconsin has been hit very hard by the foreclosure crisis.  According to RealtyTrac, Wisconsin has the 19th highest foreclosure rate in the country, and one out of every 199 Wisconsin housing units receiving a foreclosure filing in just the second quarter of 2010.  It is obviously not a coincidence that the unemployment and foreclosure rate have simultaneously increased in Wisconsin and across the entire country.  While we work to put people back to work, it is important that we also work to assist unemployed homeowners struggling to keep their homes.    

We look forward to working with you to ensure that Wisconsin receives its fair share of the assistance and ask that you keep us apprised of decisions in this regard.  

Sincerely,

Senator Russ Feingold
Senator Herb Kohl
Congresswoman Gwen Moore
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin