Foreclosure Prevention & Legal Resources

Homeowners Guide to Success - What to do if you can't pay your mortgage (HUD)

Making Home Affordable is an Official Program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury & U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Through the program, families may be eligible to refinance or modify their loans to a payment that is affordable. MakingHomeAffordable.gov offers features, including interactive self-assessment tools, that will empower borrowers to determine if they're eligible to participate and to calculate the monthly mortgage payment reductions that may be possible under the program.

BEWARE Foreclosure Rescue Scams Are Out There - If you know anyone (a neighbor, a friend, a relative, etc.) that may be facing the loss of their home, they may be contacted by so-called foreclosure rescue companies or foreclosure assistance firms. Some of these companies use the web. Help your friends by asking that they learn more from HUD and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) before they get involved. Foreclosure rescue scams --warnings from the FTC.

Below are links that can help you avoid predatory lending, prevent foreclosure, access legal services and more.

Foreclosure Prevention

Most foreclosure prevention counseling services are free of charge for all Massachusetts homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes. You do not have to wait until you get a notice from your lender. If you are having trouble paying your debts or think you might have trouble in the future, you can get free help. Some programs have specific eligibility requirements.

HomeCorps Borrower Recovery Initiative - Are you facing foreclosure or eviction? Have you fallen behind on your mortgage? The HomeCorps Borrower Recovery Initiative provides assistance and advocacy to individuals and families throughout the foreclosure process, including housing search, relocation & stabilization assistance, financial planning & counseling and referrals, support and advocacy. Contact LYNN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, INC. at (781) 581-7220 EXT. 218 or by email.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), “Avoiding Foreclosure”

HOPE Now - An alliance between counselors, servicers, investors, and other mortgage market participants

Center for Responsible Lending - A nonproift, nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to protecting homeownership and family wealth by working to eliminate abusive financial practices. Recently published the Subprime Spillover Report.

MassHousing Refinance Loans - Refinancing your mortgage through MassHousing can save you money and reduce the risk of high payments in the future.

MassHousing Foreclosure Prevention Resources

Hope for Homeowners - The Homeownership Preservation Foundation is an independent, nonprofit counseling service provided by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation which creates partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, borrowers and lenders to help families overcome obstacles that could result in the loss of their homes. If you feel like you may be in danger of facing foreclosure, call our 888-995-HOPE hotline. Our HUD-approved counselors are experts in foreclosure prevention and trained to set up a plan of action designed just for you and your situation. The help we offer is free.

Click here for Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation's Foreclosure Resources. Consumeraffairs.com. This site has various consumer news, including steps you can take to avoid losing your home and ruining your credit.

Predatory Lending

Freddie Mac Don't Borrow Trouble - Don’t Borrow Trouble is a nationwide campaign to help borrowers protect themselves from predatory lending practices and to assist victims of predatory lending. This web page is available in English and Spanish.

National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) - NCRC runs the Consumer Rescue Fund, which helps consumers determine if they have a predatory loan and works with borrowers who are victims of predatory lending practices.

Legal Resources & Information

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tenant Rights, Laws and Protections: Massachusetts

Northeast Legal Aid - NeigborhoodLaw.org provides basic legal information and links to local legal service agencies. Legal advice is provided by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

Other Resources

NeighborWorks America - NeighborWorks is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts. Together, with national and local partners, NeighborWorks creates new opportunities for residents while improving communities.

Freddie Mac Credit Smart and Credit - Financial literacy and good credit is a key component to achieving homeownership. Freddie Mac offers this online self-tutorial to help you build a sound financial future. This web page is available in English and Spanish.

Housing Consumer Education Centers - Housing Consumer Education Centers offers tenants, landlords and homeowners referrals to help solve housing issues.

What is the subprime mortgage crisis?  Wikipedia discusses all the players and their roles.