Grant aids fight against foreclosures
North Charleston-based Family Services receives $1.7 million from federal program
By Schuyler Kropf
The pace of local foreclosures could ease now that a North Charleston nonprofit that assists struggling homeowners has received the largest grant of its kind in the country to connect lawyers with families in danger of losing their homes.
Family Services Inc. has been given access to $1.7 million. The money will help link attorneys with homeowners who contend they were victims of a variety of transaction wrongs, ranging from predatory lending to receiving a loan they didn't sign up for.
Need help?
Worried about making your mortgage payments? Want to speak to an attorney about your concerns? Call 888-320-0350 to speak with a representative from Family Services Inc., a North Charleston agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The services are free.
Also eligible are homeowners who find themselves in a bad way for other reasons, such as suffering from their own poor money management choices or facing adjustable rate increases. Thousands of people in South Carolina are eligible.
Debbie Kidd, who oversees default counseling for Family Services, said the grant from the federal National Foreclosure Mitigation Council illustrates how large the need is among at-risk homeowners in the state.
"It's never too late to come in for help," she said Tuesday.
By most accounts, the Lowcountry's mortgage troubles are getting worse by the day. Nearly 1,450 homes fell into foreclosure in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties during the final four months of 2008. And though the hardship is widespread across economic classes, it has hit working class families especially hard since they are more likely to see work hours cut or suffer job losses.
As envisioned under the grant, homeowners facing foreclosure would be linked with an attorney from a variety of public assistance or pro bono legal sources to help them during the crisis. There is no income cutoff for those who can seek the group's assistance, and the group is not confined by geographic conditions. Someone doesn't have to be in full default to seek assistance, either.
Previous story
Agency strives for mortgage relief; Counselors work with lenders to halt foreclosures, published 02/19/09
Family Services has a long history in the area and has been approved as a housing counselor by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The legal assistance grant comes on top of the group's other grants that focus on work as default counselors.
Among the groups taking part in the new program are South Carolina Legal Services, which has nine offices in the state, Charleston Pro Bono Services and Appleseed Legal Justice.
Marvin Feingold, director of Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, said the group opted to become part of the effort because a key focus has always been low income people and housing. Negotiation, not litigation, is the goal, he said.
Cases have so far been slow in forming, but Feingold said he expects the pace to change greatly as funds from the Obama administration's housing recovery efforts get released.
Kidd said that for anyone facing a housing issue, getting access to lawyer can keep a lot of problems from becoming too big to handle.
"We want to keep people in their homes," she said, "and make it affordable for them to stay in their homes."
Reach Schuyler Kropf at skropf@postandcourier.com or 937-5551.
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moonpie (anonymous) says...
Hey did you see the news story that showed people facing foreclosure how to stall the process? They have a few people that have tried this and its worked for them. They asked the bank or lending company to provide the note. Since your mortgage has been sold to mutal funds, other lenders, etc, it is very hard for them to find the signed copy. Brilliant in delaying but of course the lack of reporting didn't say if they lost the homes anyway in the long run.
February 25, 2009 at 6:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
How do I sign up for some of this money? Oh wait...I was responsible in my home purchase, so I don't get any, I just get to provide the funds for these grants through my taxes. Maybe they'll tax me to the point I can no longer afford my mortgage so I can get some of this "free" money too.
February 25, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
laurasmorris (anonymous) says...
Stop your whining, majorjohnson. Your share of this $1.7M grant is approximately $.003--could be less based on your tax bracket--and unless your income is over $250,000, you'll be getting a tax cut, not an increase. If you're able to afford your mortgage, contributing less than a penny to help those how can't isn't a big sacrifice on your part.
February 25, 2009 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"How do I sign up for some of this money? Oh wait...I was responsible in my home purchase, so I don't get any, I just get to provide the funds for these grants through my taxes. Maybe they'll tax me to the point I can no longer afford my mortgage so I can get some of this "free" money too."
AMEN!!!!!
Lauramorris: Our individual contributions may be minute but our collective contribution isn't. Granted there are some situations where I see some families/individuals may need assistance, but that is a small percentage of those who will eventually receive taxpayer help to stay in homes that perhaps they should lose for their own good.
Our constitution only guarantees our PURSUIT of happiness not the attainment. Free will plays a huge part in how our lives develop. I ought to know.
The anger/frustration that many solvent Americans feel is based on the very ideal that we did what was necessary to ensure our security and happiness. Now we are being asked to support those who didn't.
That goes for those who suckle on the government teat for sustenance as opposed to leaving the cave, killing it and dragging it back home.
Now we are also expected to support those who not only knew better but are so willing to jump on the proverbial band wagon and beg for help.
All those years ago when I was behind on my bills, I almost lost everything. That was a wake-up call for me. After swallowing that bitter pill I did what was necessary to get myself on track. I rented, repaired my struggling vehicle and SAVED!!!! Now I live the life I was meant to live and that isn't BROKE with my hand out.
"If you do the things you need when you need to do them, then someday you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them." Zig Ziglar
February 25, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhshjh (anonymous) says...
There are many situations for losing your house, especially in this economy. I don't mind helping those that need it. I agree that some people went out and bought houses under the wrong circumstances and maybe do not deserve help, but I believe that there are more that do. Not everyone is a smart business man. I believe everyone should own a house if they can. What exactly is the difference in renting or owning, besides the renter paying someone else's mortgage? The rents are as much as a mortgage so how are they better off renting?
One story that I know of...Man walks out on woman and home. Woman is lucky enough to get a better job than she had and for 5 years things are going good and she is having no problem paying her bills and saving money. Then she gets laid off. Now no money. She has gone into her savings and retirement while looking for a job, now is running out of money. How is this her fault?
Also, on all the posts about unemployment people are saying you should take any job just to be employed. But you need one that is going to pay your bills or the inevitable will happen and you will lose your house. Then you are homeless because you can't afford rent either.
This is not a perfect world and everything is not black & white.
What happened to the old days when people were willing to help their neighbors?
I'd much rather my money go to helping individuals than bailing out banks and car dealerships.
February 25, 2009 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fan20girl (anonymous) says...
laursmorris
Stop your whining, majorjohnson. Your share of this $1.7M grant is approximately $.003--could be less based on your tax bracket--and unless your income is over $250,000, you'll be getting a tax cut, not an increase. If you're able to afford your mortgage, contributing less than a penny to help those how can't isn't a big sacrifice on your part.
I have already made my sacrifice when I purchased a home with a mortgage payemnt within my means. It is not in the nicest neighborhood. It doen't have the most sqare footage or the biggest yard but I can afford the payment and took my income and my potential for future earnings into account when I decided to purchase. I also don't drive a new Jag, Benz, Escalade or BMW. So, I've made my sacrifice Thank You Very Much!!
February 25, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
I guess I think differently than others. When I was down and out I moved into something smaller and less expensive. May not be the best spot in town but you make do. There are plenty of rentals in all areas that are far less than a mortgage. You can do a 6 or 12 month lease until you get onto your feet.
What people don't want to do is put stuff in storage and in the case of not being able to afford storage fees, stack up stuff in the new place until you can move. I did that & my bedroom looked like a storage warehouse. If you have 2 kids stick them in one bedroom. Break down the other bed and have one sleep with the other or sleep on mattress on the floor. Different genders/ages? Create guidelines or make one sleep in the living room and have everyone have early bedtimes.
I know that doesn't sound glamorous or easy, but you do what you have to do to make it work.
But noooooo, everyone must be able to have a house.
No they don't. And definitely not when they think they need it.
I'm tired of the excuses.
Hell we all have had hard times.
Deliver pizzas; swallow your pride and rake yards or clean neighbors' houses. Do what it takes to get ahead. My girls and I have cleaned offices and houses. I taught them there is NO SHAME in honest work.
So don't give me this crap you have to continually live off unemployment or have your hand out for tax dollars when there are many of US out here who didn't.
Times are hard, but short of having a physical or mental limitation, you can earn a living and if that means 2 or 3 jobs then do it. I did.
No one has a RIGHT to home ownership. It is a privilege. And if you fall on hard times, start over. Let the house go & rent. It will not kill you. You might be embarrassed but you will be okay.
And when you have paid off your creditors, have 3-6 months of expenses saved and something for a down payment (unless using VA) and enough for closing costs, don't buy a house.
How frickin simple is that?
February 25, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhshjh (anonymous) says...
eyfigueroa... If you would read my post you would see that I never said that people should "continually" live off unemployment or take tax dollars. I just feel that most, not all, of the people that are losing their houses have done all the things you are talking about. Paid their bills, saved money for a down payment, and had more than 3 months saved for hard times. Now they are laid off and contrary to what the people who are lucky enough to still be working think, ALL jobs are extremely hard to find right now. So you feel that they should just lose, what some of them, worked their whole life for, and start over again.
My sister cleaned houses and she has lost all her contracts because people do not want to spend the money right now, enen the people that can still afford it, luckily her husband still works and they are getting by. I am working a part time waitress job and have about 40 apps out right now including other waitress jobs, and I have been out of work for 4 months. Luckily I am not out of money yet. But it is getting close. I have worked all my life 2 and 3 jobs at a time to get where I am, so you are preaching to the preacher. But I guess I have a little more sympathy then you. Because I have lost my job also through no fault of my own. Hope it doesn't happen to you.
Even though I am collecting unemployment and working part time I still do pay taxes.
And,I will say it again. I'd much rather my money go to helping individuals keep their homes than bailing out banks and car dealerships.
February 25, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FiscalConservative (anonymous) says...
I was a victim of predatory lending practices. I was eating breakfast and the Countrywide people came into my house and forced me to sign a mortgage contract. I got $3.2 million with zero down. Please bail me out so I can take out a home equity loan to by this awesome boat I have been eyeing.
February 26, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
I do sound heartless. I do sound as if I'm devoid of any empathy or sympathy.
Who knows?
Perhaps I'm just envious of the 'help' everyone is about to receive when I had to SUFFER from my own mistakes and do what it took to make it right. Even when things were beyond my control, I didn't get a handout; I downsized and started all over.
So yes, if you must lose your home in order to make a fresh start, tough noogies.
That's life.
We are only guaranteed the RIGHT to the pursuit of happiness, not the attainment.
Crap happens and you move on.
Sell your furniture until you have to sleep on an air mattress.
Cash in 401ks.
Sell your jewelry.
If you ain't under cancer treatment or in need of a lobotomy I'm not gonna have much sympathy for you.
I've seen people lose everything and in a few short years bounced back and ended up creating more wealth than they even thought possible.
Now too many are waiting with baited breath for the 'trickle down' effect of this so-called stimulus package.
So call me a whiner, "but it's not fairrrrrrrr!"
February 26, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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