November workshops scheduled

January 12, 2009

Housing advocates and New York State have joined to make quality, free foreclosure counseling available for homeowners. More than 100 housing counselors are being trained specifically in foreclosure counseling this week in Albany and are available to assist homeowners facing foreclosure in the Capital District and throughout the state.

Training is sponsored by the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and NeighborWorks® America. Participating counselors from the Capital Region are members of the HomeSave Coalition, a collaboration of housing counselors and legal service providers.

"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," said Deborah Boatright, Northeast District Director for NeighborWorks America. "Now is the time for homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage to take the steps they need to try and avoid foreclosure."

Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner of DHCR said, “Under Governor Paterson’s leadership, New York State has developed one of the most comprehensive strategies in the country to help address the foreclosure crisis, and counseling from experienced advisors is a critical part of this strategy. DHCR is proud to support Governor Paterson’s reforms to lending laws and to play a role in helping to train counselors here in the Capital District and around the state in the skills they need to provide no cost, quality services to help people keep their homes.”

Housing agencies offer free counseling to develop action steps and an advocacy plan for each client.  All agencies provide comprehensive, individual counseling in person or on the telephone. Counselors work with the homeowner to create a plan to present to their lender, and provide referrals to attorneys as needed. Here in the Capital District, housing counseling agencies and legal services organizations work together under the HomeSave Coalition umbrella.  Coalition member United Tenants of Albany counsels tenants who face displacement if the owner of their home is foreclosed upon. 

“Homeowners should not be reluctant to ask for help” stated Stephanie Galvin, counselor for Albany County Rural Housing Alliance.  “While many families face problems with sub-prime loans, just as many families fall behind with their mortgage due to difficult life circumstances such as job loss.  We partner with families to help them understand their options so they may determine their best course of action.”

The HomeSave Coalition serves Albany, Columbia, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and surrounding counties.  Homeowners of any income are eligible for assistance.

“Families facing foreclosure do not have to pay a fee for foreclosure prevention services”, stated Susan Cotner, coordinator of the HomeSave Coalition and executive director of Affordable Housing Partnership. “Trained, experienced housing counselors are available to assist you free of charge.”

HomeSave Coalition agencies have received financial support for their foreclosure prevention program from the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the NYS Banking Department, SONYMA, and the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program.

NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing, primarily through the support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.

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