Hundreds of homeowners turn out for Hank's HomeSafe Ga. foreclosure prevention event

Press Release

More than 500 people participated in today's HomeSafe Georgia foreclosure prevention event hosted by Congressman Hank Johnson, and representatives of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and HUD-approved counseling agency D&E at Salem Bible Church in Lithonia.

More than a year ago, Georgia received $340 million from President Obama's "Hardest Hit Fund"-- known as HomeSafe in Georgia -- to help unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosures. But not enough is being done to get the word out and to get the funds where they are needed most, said Johnson.

"So far, just $23 million of this fund has been used to help 900 homeowners," said Rep. Johnson, who was the first public official in Georgia to pass a law fighting foreclosures when he was a county commissioner in 2001.

"Our goal is to help more than 18,000 Georgians save the most significant investment they will ever make -- their home. This event today is a good place to start -- to begin to get the word out and to help homeowners who qualify. But more must be done."

Snellville resident Robert B. who came to the event hoping to save his home left optimistic that something can be done -- either qualifying for HomeSafe or getting a loan modification.

"For the average homeowner who is experiencing trouble paying the mortgage, they need to learn more about HomeSafe," he said. "There is even more help out there than I thought."

D&E CEO Carrie Harris said more than 200 residents have reached out to D&E in the past week to learn more about HomeSafe in response to publicity surrounding Rep. Johnson's event.

"Today represents the power of partnerships -- a coming together of Congressman Johnson, the state of Georgia and D&E to help get the word out about a program that could help save thousands of homeowners from foreclosure."

Source