Major Mortgage Servicers, Non-Profit Counselors and Others to Offer Face to Face Assistance to Struggling Texas Homeowners

Obama Administration and HOPE NOW to Host Free Help for Homeowners Event in Houston

HOUSTON, Nov. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable Program, The HOPE NOW Alliance and NeighborWorks® America are bringing several of the nation's largest mortgage servicers, along with more than a dozen non-profit housing counselors, to Houston in November in order to work one on one with Texas homeowners.

The event will allow homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments the opportunity to review their options and learn about possible alternatives to foreclosure.

This free event will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011, at the Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar Street, in Houston. Doors open at 11:00 a.m and the event will run until 7:30 p.m. Homeowners will be seen on a first come, first served basis and are encouraged to bring all mortgage documents, income documents, and hardship letters. A full list of the necessary documents can be found at www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov and www.HOPENOW.com.

A similar event was held in Houston in February 2010, which saw approximately 900 attendees come to the Lakewood Church for mortgage assistance. Mortgage companies scheduled to be in attendance include American Home Mortgage Servicing, Aurora Loan Services, Bank of America, Chase, Citi Mortgage, GMAC, Ocwen, OneWest, PNC, Select Portfolio Servicing, SunTrust, US Bank and Wells Fargo.

"While more than 21,000 Texas homeowners currently have more affordable mortgage payments through the Administration's Making Home Affordable Program, we know that there are other homeowners out there who are still struggling and eligible for help," said Treasury Deputy Chief for Homeownership Preservation Darius Kingsley. "This event offers homeowners a free opportunity to meet one-on-one with their mortgage servicer and a HUD-approved housing expert to discuss the options available to them based on their individual circumstances."

"We understand that unemployment, medical hardships and other financial issues have deeply affected Texas homeowners. Many people have fallen behind on their mortgage payments, but we want them to know that free help is available. I urge people to come to this event and meet with their mortgage servicer or a housing counselor. They will get good objective advice, and may even go home with an affordable solution that helps them stay in their home for the long term," said Faith Schwartz, Executive Director of HOPE NOW.

The Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable Program was created to help struggling homeowners modify or refinance their mortgage payments to make them more affordable, or transition to more affordable housing to prevent avoidable foreclosures. For more information, go to www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov.

HOPE NOW is the industry-created alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, counselors, and other mortgage market participants, brought together by the Financial Services Roundtable, Housing Policy Council and Mortgage Bankers Association, that has developed and is implementing a coordinated plan to help as many homeowners as possible prevent foreclosure and stay in their homes. For more information, go to www.HopeNow.com.

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. NeighborWorks® America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. For more information, go to www.nw.org.

SOURCE HOPE NOW Alliance