St. Tammany Parish received the following information from the Metro New Orleans Homeownership Preservation Coalition:

Homeownership Resource Fair set for the Northshore

The Northshore is facing an increase in foreclosures, this coupled with the downturn in the economy prompted a group of local nonprofits and their community development partners to join together to help address the needs of homeowners.

The Northshore Homeownership Preservation Coalition will conduct a workshop for residents concerned about a variety of homeownership related topics.  The event will take place on Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Life Impact Center, 5200 Highway 22 in Mandeville.

Multiple resources will be available to residents with varying housing needs.  Everyone from a resident facing foreclosure to someone looking into the options of buying a home will be able to meet with qualified professionals. 

“There’s a lot of confusion out in the public about what to do if you’re behind on your mortgage or face a crushing increase in your monthly payments,” said Lauren Bartlett, staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, a nonprofit organization providing legal assistance to low-income residents.

“People are scared of losing their biggest investment – the roof over their head – and don’t know where to turn for help or advice,” Bartlett said. “Maybe they’ve had bad experiences with their lender or servicer and are feeling hopeless about a resolution.”

“We want people who are facing foreclosure to know that the worst thing you can do is to ignore the calls and the notices,” she said. “There’s a whole team of experienced counselors and attorneys that are ready, willing and able to provide good counsel and help you through the maze of options that are available.”

The Homeownership Resource Fair will include a general-information session that will discuss foreclosure-prevention resources, financial and legal options available to help homeowners prevent foreclosure. The workshop will include information on foreclosure-prevention rescue scams, fair housing laws, and home ownership opportunities and resources.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved agencies specially qualified to offer one-on-one individual counseling will provide assistance at no cost to the homeowner, organizers said.

“We’re starting to see a rise in mortgage-rescue scams in our communities,” said Nancy Montoya, community affairs manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and a coalition partner.

“It’s important that homeowners know that there are many organizations that don’t charge up-front fees and have experience and training in resolving complicated foreclosure problems,” Montoya said. “That’s why the task force involved in helping to coordinate events like this that can help save somebody’s home.”

Agencies conducting the Homeownership Resource Fair include Fannie Mae, LSU AgCenter, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Board, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Money Management International, Life Impact and the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center.

For more information or to find a non-profit counselor in your area please call Shawn at (985) 845-0202.

###