News Release

November 10, 2009

Contact: Adam Glantz, HUD, (212) 264-1100
Susan Jouard NeighborWorks® America, (917) 842-2601
Petra Tuomi, Center for NYC Neighborhoods, (646) 786-0884

NY Metro Foreclosure Prevention Summit Draws over 200
Nonprofit Housing Counselors and Industry Leaders
Summit brings a regional perspective to Making Home Affordable and other national initiatives

New York - Over 200 housing counselors and industry leaders gathered in Lower Manhattan today to learn about new initiatives being undertaken by private industry and the Obama Administration to improve foreclosure prevention efforts, and discuss how these remedies will impact homeowners in the New York metropolitan area.

"New York City is fortunate to have such progressive leaders as HUD, OTS and NeighborWorks who have partnered with CNYCN to organize this timely conference. It also gave an important platform to our strong local non-profit community. These government and non-profit partners brought a true dialogue about the everyday challenges they face at the grass roots level with the increasing numbers of New York City homeowners at risk of foreclosure," said Michael Hickey, executive director of the Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN).

Hickey was joined by representatives from active foreclosure prevention coalitions on Long Island and Newark/Urban Essex County, New Jersey as well as New York State Housing Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen, who brought a statewide perspective.

“All across the country, housing counselors have been frustrated by long delays and inconsistencies in the application of Making Home Affordable and other programs as they work with homeowners,” said Marietta Rodriguez, director of Homeownership Programs at NeighborWorks America. “Forums like this improve communications on all sides, and help build the partnerships we need to effectively assist struggling homeowners.”

“The Administration recognizes the ever-changing nature of this housing crisis, and, as such, we continue to create and expand programs that meet the needs of millions of struggling homeowners across this country,” said Assistant Secretary/FHA Commissioner David Stevens. “Now more than ever, we are committed to stabilizing the housing market by helping homeowners to stay current on their mortgages and remain in their homes.”

Speakers included representatives from government agencies responsible for the successful implementation and oversight of Making Home Affordable, including the U.S. Treasury Department, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   

Industry representatives from the Hope Now Alliance and GMAC Rescap discussed developments within the mortgage industry designed to improve the loss mitigation process, such as efforts to streamline documentation and new models for outreach events that bring borrowers, lenders and counselors together.

Effective outreach to homeowners by lenders and legitimate service providers was a particular concern to all participants given the proliferation of foreclosure rescue scams in the New York metropolitan area.  The afternoon session focused on the effective reporting and prosecution of rescue scam operators, including a far-reaching new campaign from NeighborWorks America aimed at educating homeowners to avoid scams — a central component of a new website at www.loanscamalert.org.   

The Northeast Region of the Office of Thrift Supervision took the lead in organizing the Foreclosure Prevention Summit. "The OTS supports the Administration's efforts to address the rising level of home foreclosures in the nation. The agency believes it is important to work with other government agencies and community groups on strategies and programs to save homes from avoidable foreclosures and stabilize neighborhoods," said Francis I. Baffour, Community Affairs Liaison.

About Center for New York City Neighborhoods. The Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free housing counseling and legal services to New York City residents at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. CNYCN is funded by grants from the New York City Council and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development as well as from foundations, corporations, lenders, and banks.

CNYCN partners with over 30 nonprofit, community-based organizations. New Yorkers can call 311 and be connected directly to CNYCN telephone operators by simply saying “foreclosure.” They will then be directed to free, reputable service providers in their communities. For more information, visit www.cnycn.org

About HUD

HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

About NeighborWorks America

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. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our 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.