September 8, 2008
Contact:
Jennifer Kibby, 513-502-7978, jkibby@nw.org
Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org
Nearly Two Hundred Register for NeighborWorks
Foreclosure Intervention Counseling Training
Another Example of the NeighborWorks Network Efforts to Prevent Foreclosure
Memphis, TN – Nearly two hundred counselors from organizations around the country registered for up to five days of foreclosure intervention counseling training delivered by NeighborWorks America through its Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling, September 8-12.
The training is part of NeighborWorks America’s national effort to equip counselors in communities around the country with the information they need to assist families facing foreclosure. The training is provided as part of the $180 million in funds appropriated by Congress to strengthen foreclosure counseling services across the country.
“It’s vitally important that we strengthen and expand the capacity of the non-profit community to deal with the growing foreclosure crisis,” said Paul Poston, Great Lakes District Director for NeighborWorks America. “With more than eight million families living in homes worth less than their mortgages and one out of four subprime mortgages already in delinquency, the housing counseling community is needed more than ever to help slow the rise in foreclosure.”
NeighborWorks America estimates that more than 3,000 training certificates in homeownership, foreclosure intervention and default counseling will be earned at this and other training classes around the country in 2008.
In addition to training counselors, NeighborWorks America is engaged in a national public service advertising campaign with the Ad Council and the Homeownership Preservation Foundation. The ads, which are airing on television and radio and available for other media such as print, outdoor and the Internet, urge consumers to reach out for assistance if they think that mortgage trouble is headed their way.
“We can add a million counselors, but if homeowners don’t take action and contact them, we can’t help,” said Poston. “That’s why the campaign’s tag line is “There’s nothing worse than doing nothing.”
Information in the public service campaign can be found at www.foreclosurehelpandhope.org.
More information about NeighborWorks America and its foreclosure intervention efforts can be found at http://www.nw.org/network/foreclosure/default.asp
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. www.nw.org.
