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Jul 6, 2009 3:00 pm US/Eastern
Program Helping Residents Facing Foreclosure
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The news of people losing their homes to foreclosure has been making headlines across the country for months now.
But the number of foreclosures and sheriff's sales in our area is actually down.
One reason appears to be an innovative program that is working and is now being copied.
"The worst thing they can do is do nothing at all," said Sgt. Richard Fersch, of the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office. "That's the worst thing; if you sit back, and expect someone to take you buy the hand."
But one option now in Allegheny County is the "conciliation conference," which officials say allows homeowners to try to work out a deal with the bank.
The program was started by the Sheriff's Office and Judge Joe James.
"This allows defendants, people who are losing their homes, an opportunity to sit down with the lender," said Sgt. Fersch.
Ed Barker's Scott Township home was recently put up for sheriff's sale.
"Normal day, I wasn't even expecting it to tell you the truth," said Barker of the day it happened. "He came, knocked on the door and served us warrants."
However, with the program, Barker says he was able to work out a deal to keep his house.
Across the state, Bucks County has now adopted a similar program to try to help people keep their homes.
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