New website, counseling and mediation will help Central Oregonians who face losing homes
The State of Oregon and HomeSource of NeighborImpact announced important new resources to help Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook County homeowners at risk of foreclosure. A new website, OregonHomeownerSupport.gov provides information about foreclosure prevention counseling, legal assistance and other programs for the tens of thousands of distressed homeowners in Oregon who remain at risk of losing their homes.
The website is funded through Oregon’s share of a National Mortgage Settlement with five of the nation’s largest loan servicers. The Oregon Legislature appropriated nearly $4 million of this Settlement to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) for implementing programs that support foreclosure prevention, including the new Foreclosure Avoidance Mediation Program. The largest component of the OHCS appropriation was dedicated to expanding the network of trained foreclosure prevention counselors across the state.
Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook County homeowners who are behind on payments, have gone into default or are at-risk of default can visit OregonHomeownerSupport.gov for information and to learn more about counseling options in their area. Across the state, there are more than 40 foreclosure counselors, including six in the Central Oregon Tri-County area, 26 of these counselors were hired due to the appropriation from the Legislature.
“We are excited to be a part of this new initiative, and to be able to offer assistance to our neighbors,” said Selef Spragg, HomeSource of NeighborImpact Manager. “We are looking forward to helping as many homeowners as possible, and to contributing to the development of OregonHomeownerSupport.gov.”
Foreclosure prevention counseling is free and confidential, and helps homeowners make decisions about whether they can, or should, stay in their home, as well as connecting them to relevant programs and services. Homeowners that would like to meet with a counselor can contact HomeSource of NeighborImpact directly via phone (541) 323-6567 or e-mail homesource@neighborimpact.org or visit OregonHomeownerSupport.gov and use the “Find A Counselor” feature for information on counseling agencies in the area. They can also call 211 for a referral over the phone.
Foreclosure prevention has been shown in national studies to lower mortgage payments for those receiving a modification as well as helping homeowners remain current on their mortgages. In addition, homeowners who receive counseling are more likely to obtain a mortgage modification than those who do not receive counseling.
About HomeSource of NeighborImpact:
HomeSource of NeighborImpact works to increase and sustain the American dream of home ownership in Central Oregon. Serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties with certified bi-lingual coaching, workshops and resources for home buyers and home owners, HomeSource of NeighborImpact has offices in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville. HomeSource of NeighborImpact partners with local residents to promote home ownership from planning to purchase and preservation. For more information about financial coaching, down payment assistance programs, energy conservation and home preservation, call (541) 323-6567, e-mail homesource@neighborimpact.org or visit NeighborImpact.org/HomeSource.
