Oregon Housing and Community Services Receives $284,988 to Support Foreclosure Prevention Counseling

Salem, OR – May 3, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) recently received $284,988 to support local foreclosure prevention counseling efforts across Oregon. The much-needed boost will enable OHCS to provide more counseling to homeowners in danger of foreclosure. Counseling referrals are made through Oregon SafeNet, 1-800-723-3638.

“Access to good information through a neutral third party can help homeowners make the best decisions for themselves, their families and their budgets,” said Victor Merced, OHCS director. “These new dollars will help support the increasing need for foreclosure prevention help throughout the state.”

The grant to support OHCS’s foreclosure intervention efforts was provided by funds from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program. The initial funding was provided by Congress in the FY08 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Additional funding was provided through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010. The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program is administered through a competitive application process by NeighborWorks® America, within guidelines defined by congressional legislation. NeighborWorks America is an independent, congressionally chartered nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to provide access to sustainable homeownership and safe, affordable rental housing.

Earlier foreclosure mitigation awards to Oregon have totaled $875,894, beginning in early 2008. Counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provide the mitigation counseling.

Oregon Housing and Community Services is the state’s housing finance agency and community services program administrator. The department provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing serving Oregonians of lower and moderate income, and administers federal and state antipoverty, homelessness prevention and intervention, energy assistance and community service programs. Go to www.ohcs.oregon.gov/.