For Immediate Release
September 21, 2007
Contact:
Susan Jouard 212 269 6553 ext 25 SJouard@nw.org
Doug Robinson 202 220 2360 DRobinson@nw.org
NeighborWorks America Northeast District to Hold Foreclosure Awareness Day; Effort Expects to Reach Thousands of Families
New York – The Northeast District of NeighborWorks America will hold a series of in-the-community foreclosure awareness events in an effort to reduce the increasing pace of foreclosure activity in the region. On September 29, nearly 20 NeighborWorks organizations stretching from Rochester, New York, to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and San Juan, Puerto Rico will open their offices and hold informational events in their communities urging residents to take action to prevent foreclosure. View events [PDF, 125 KB].
“We know that by the end of next year, nationally more than two million homeowners are at risk of significantly higher and unaffordable mortgage payments,” said Deborah Boatright, NeighborWorks America Northeast district director. “In addition, we know that the historical causes of foreclosure — job loss, medical emergency and other unforeseen circumstances — will continue. In light of these facts, NeighborWorks organizations are offering clear, objective and actionable information for homeowners so that if trouble emerges they are better able to make informed decisions.”
In keeping with the community-based nature of NeighborWorks organizations, a range of Foreclosure Awareness Day activities are taking place. For example, housing experts from Community Development Corporation of Long Island are going to distribute information at a major mall on Long Island, while Brand New Day in Elizabeth, New Jersey plans a
homeownership clinic, providing all-day, face-to-face counseling for homeowners at Essex Community College in Newark.
”In all, 19 NeighborWorks organizations expect to reach thousands of homeowners and potential homeowners with foreclosure prevention and affordable mortgage information,” said Boatright.
The day-long events are supported by the general NeighborWorks foreclosure prevention message, “Nothing is worse than doing nothing,” which is the basis of the organization’s national foreclosure prevention public service advertising campaign. The three-year PSA campaign was launched in partnership with the national Ad Council and the Homeownership Preservation Foundation. The PSAs are the cornerstone of the NeighborWorks outreach campaign that encourages homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgages and maybe facing foreclosure to call 1-888-995-HOPE.
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. To date, we have assisted nearly 850,000 low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 235 community development organizations working in 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 $12.4 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. www.nw.org.
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