For Immediate Release
August 15, 2006
Contact:
Douglas Robinson, 202-220-2360; drobinson@nw.org
NeighborWorks America and MetLife Foundation Recognize Organizations Taking a Proactive Approach to Combat Foreclosure to Preserve Homeownership
Honorees Receive Awards at NeighborWorks Training Institute in Washington, D.C.
(Washington, D.C.) – NeighborWorks® America today announced national honors for three organizations that have developed innovative and cost-effective approaches to preserve homeownership for families in jeopardy of foreclosure. NeighborWorks made the announcement at the Washington, DC NeighborWorks Training Institute, the nation’s premier community development and training program for professionals and community leaders. View winners.
“Innovative thinking about mortgage lending helps people realize the dream of homeownership, and continuing that kind of innovation when financial problems arise thus helping to keep people in their homes is why these organizations are award winners and leaders,” says NeighborWorks America CEO Ken Wade.
“Homeownership strengthens communities,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife Foundation, the sponsor of the Innovations contest. “We are pleased to join NeighborWorks America in recognizing local groups for innovative and effective approaches to preserving homeownership and building healthy communities.”
The three categories and winners in those categories are:
Innovative Outreach/Marketing Strategy to Address Foreclosures:
Who’s Got a Sheriff?
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF GREAT FALLS
GREAT FALLS, MT
As part of a comprehensive advertising and marketing campaign to create awareness around state-wide foreclosures, Neighborhood Housing Services of Great Falls (NHSGF) works cooperatively with the County Sheriff Departments across Montana to prevent foreclosures. The Sheriff’s office in the state of Montana serves all foreclosure notices. NHSGF saw the opportunity to proactively combat foreclosure by using the state of Montana’s system of foreclosure activity. Through this program, at the time a foreclosure notice is served to a homeowner, the county Sheriff provides valuable information on NHSGF’s foreclosure prevention services. As a result, although the homeowner may be in the midst of foreclosure, he or she now has the NHSGF, a valued and trusted partner, to turn to for assistance.
Innovative Early Foreclosure Intervention Strategy
Foreclosure Prevention through Outbound Telephone Counseling
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCS of San Francisco) takes a proactive approach to post-purchase education and foreclosure prevention. Instead of waiting for the family to call the agency at the time of mortgage delinquency, CCCS of San Francisco calls the family. This outreach has proven extremely successful, and CCCS of San Francisco has helped hundreds of families who otherwise might have lost their homes through foreclosure.
Innovative Partnerships to Prevent Foreclosure
Tippecanoe County HomeOwnership Preservation Initiative (HOPI)
Lafayette Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
Lafayette, IN
Lafayette Neighborhood Housing Services (LNHS) and other partners brought foreclosure problems to the attention of municipal officials and leaders through the Tippecanoe County HomeOwnership Preservation Initiative (HOPI). The group studied local causes of foreclosure and defined potential solutions, but faced the difficult challenge of getting key leaders to publicly acknowledge the problem. Through the Initiative a successful partnership between citizens and LNHS yielded positive results for the community.
About the Innovations Award
The Innovations in Homeownership Awards, sponsored by MetLife Foundation, identify and recognize creative and cost-effective strategies and approaches that nonprofit housing organizations use to promote homeownership to underserved communities. Up to four awards are given each year. The NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) hosts the contest. Since 2004, NCHEC has trained, certified and developed tools for more than 10,000 housing counseling providers, equipping them to assist more than one million families nationwide.
About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America provides financial support, technical assistance and training for communities across the nation, including the NeighborWorks network – a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $10 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 780,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.
About MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation was established in by MetLife in 1976 to carry on its longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants support health, education, civic and cultural programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.
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