Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces $8 Million Grant to Expand Counseling Services to Homeowners at Risk of Foreclosure
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced California homeowners having trouble paying their mortgages will be eligible for counseling to avoid foreclosure as part of a new $8 million grant that will dramatically expand free counseling services to homeowners.
"These counseling services are one tool to help prevent the American dream from turning into a nightmare for thousands of Californians at risk of losing their homes," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "More than a half million Californians have subprime loans that will jump to higher rates over the next two years and many are in danger of foreclosure. But there are options - your lender may be willing to work with you and counseling is available. The key is: don't be afraid to ask for help."
The California Housing Finance Agency and HUD-approved counseling groups in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) were awarded the $8 million grant as part of a new federal program to help homeowners avoid foreclosures.
"The state of California is committed to leveraging all possible resources to help Californians weather the housing crisis," said Theresa Parker, Executive Director of CalHFA. "We are proud to partner with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation and their counseling partners who have the experience and commitment to work with borrowers facing possible foreclosure."
The grant to support California's foreclosure counseling intervention efforts was provided by funds-contingent upon a fully-executed grant agreement-from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program. Approved by Congress in the FY'08 Consolidated Appropriations Bill, the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program is administered through a competitive application process by NeighborWorks® America, within guidelines defined by Congressional legislation.
"Mortgage counselors are critical to keeping Californians in their homes," said Stan Keasling, chief executive officer of Rural Community Assistance Corporation. "This grant will allow organizations to increase staffing so that they can meet the increasing demand for help. Another critical piece to winning this grant was the matching funds raised by the California Reinvestment Coalition, and their advocacy increasing awareness of the magnitude of this problem."
The counseling will be available to homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages or are in danger of defaulting on their mortgages. Homeowners in those situations can arrange counseling by contacting one of the counseling agencies in their area (full list attached) or visiting
www.yourhome.ca.gov
or
www.rcac.org
.
California has been impacted more than any other state by the national home foreclosure crisis, and the state has taken aggressive steps to help homeowners facing problems with their mortgages. To help those hit hard by the subprime mortgage crisis, the Governor has:
The California Reinvestment Coalition estimates that half a million California mortgage borrowers will struggle to make payments on their home loans in the next two years. In addition, mortgage foreclosures are already having dramatic negative impact on troubled borrowers' neighborhoods and the tax base of localities and the state.
"Mortgage counselors help borrowers find solutions to their home loan problems," Mr. Keasling said. Counseling agencies report being overwhelmed by homeowners seeking help from their agencies.
For more information on homeownership issues in California, please visit
http://www.yourhome.ca.gov/
and the Spanish language version:
http://www.sucasa.ca.gov/
.
San Francisco
Bay
Area
ACORN Housing Corporation, Oakland
ACORN Housing Corporation, San Jose
Asian, Inc., San Francisco
California Human Development Corporation, Santa Rosa
East Palo Alto Community Alliance & Neighborhood Development Organization (EPA CAN DO), East Palo Alto
Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco
Pacific Community Services, Pittsburg
Project Sentinel, Inc., Sunnyvale
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Incorporated, Richmond
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation, San Francisco
Central
Coast
Monterey County Housing Alliance, Salinas
Peoples' Self-Help Housing Corporation, San Luis Obispo
Central Valley
ACORN Housing Corporation, Fresno
ByDesign Financial Solutions, Fresno, Merced, Modesto, Stockton
Community Housing and Shelter Services, Modesto
Community Housing Council, Fresno
Community Services & Employment Training, Inc. (CSET), Visalia
Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc., Stockton
Project Sentinel, Inc., Sunnyvale
Los Angeles
ACORN Housing Corporation, Los Angeles
ByDesign Financial Solutions, Los Angeles, Granada Hills, Palmdale
Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services, Los Angeles
Multi-cultural Real Estate Alliance for Urban Change, Los Angeles
Operation HOPE, Inc, Los Angeles
Northern California/Sacramento Valley
ACORN Housing Corporation, Sacramento
ByDesign Financial Solutions, North Highlands, Redding
Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), Chico
Sacramento Home Loan Counseling Center, Sacramento
San Diego
ACORN Housing Corporation, San Diego
San Diego Home Loan Counseling & Education Center, San Diego
Southern California
ACORN Housing Corporation, San Bernardino
ByDesign Financial Solutions, San Bernardino
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC), Indio
Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Riverside
Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board, Upland
Operation HOPE, Inc, Los Angeles
