Morris, Perone participate in foreclosure prevention forum

State Reps. Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk) and Chris Perone (D-Norwalk), along with Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), participated in a public forum Tuesday on foreclosure prevention options for homeowners.

The forum, sponsored by the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, was held at Norwalk City Hall and focused on strategies to keep people in their homes while representing themselves through the foreclosure process.

"We continue to face tough economic times as we find ways to deal with our statewide budget deficit," Donovan said. "In the meantime, we are reaching out to homeowners who are having difficulty with their mortgages. This program is an alternative to consider for those who want to keep their homes from being foreclosed."

The forum highlighted resources and assistance available through the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. Mediation classes are being offered across the state. Topics discussed ranged from home loan modification and negotiating a home exit strategy to housing counselors and demystifying the process. An 80-page manual, which walks homeowners through the foreclosure process and includes all forms needed for court, was distributed. To date, some 5,000 owners have kept their homes thanks to this mediation process.

"Facing foreclosure is devastating to families, communities and the economy," Morris said. "We are trying to provide necessary tools to help homeowners who are facing this crisis. It is my hope that as more people learn about how this program works that we will have many taking advantage of it."

"Norwalk families facing foreclosure deserve a chance to save their homes," Perone said. "It is outrageous that so many families are facing the threat of foreclosure, but we have created programs to help Connecticut homeowners."

"The Connecticut Fair Housing Center is the only non-profit organization in the state that provides legal assistance and resources, free of charge, to homeowners facing foreclosure," said CFHC Staff Attorney Jeffrey Gentes.

"One in 13 Connecticut homeowners is either 90 days behind on their mortgage or in foreclosure. It is critical that we continue to support and educate people about resources like the Foreclosure Mediation Program so that we can prevent as many foreclosures as possible."

For assistance with foreclosure, contact:

Connecticut Department of Banking

Foreclosure Assistance Hotline: 1-877-472-8313

www.ct.gov/dob

Connecticut Fair Housing Center

Phone: (860) 247-4400

www.ctfairhousing.org

Housing Development Fund

Phone: (203) 798-6527

www.hdf-ct.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury

Phone: (203) 753-1896