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Organization Offering Home Foreclosure Help

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Dec 6, 2008 10:55 pm US/Eastern

Organization Offering Home Foreclosure Help

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― According to the latest statistics, it is estimated that 77 families a day receive foreclosure letters in Pennsylvania.

But there is one community organization that says it's willing to fight for people to help them keep their homes.

Experts say every month in Allegheny County 400 people go up for sheriff's sale.

ACORN held a "Save Our Homes" clinic today for people behind on their mortgage payments because of things like a predatory loan, a job loss or health issues.

Carol Blackwell and her husband endured a series of traumatic events, from a heart attack, broken pipes, a fire and difficulty paying bills. Problems that helped lead to a mortgage foreclosure.

"Nobody believes that you can go through that, and we've been through it, and I'm still standing by God's grace," said Blackwell. "He put the people with ACORN in our life."

The Blackwells are still dealing with their problems, but there is hope. For the last few months, they have been getting help from ACORN and are determined to keep their house.

"I don't feel like I'm being hunted, as much I'm not out of the woods," said Blackwell.

"People need to come to ACORN," said the organization's MaryEllen Hayden. "We're having a "Save Our Homes" workshop, not this Wednesday, but every Wednesday afterward."

Hayden says there are a number of programs homeowners can apply for to get mortgage relief.

"What we want to do is help people," added Hayden. "There's a loan called the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program loan, from the state of Pennsylvania that can buy the debt that you're behind. Then, you get a lower interest rate on the loan, and a lower payment on that, to get you back on your feet."

But Hayden warns people to avoid companies that want money up front, to negotiate with lenders.

"The only way you can fix your credit is the hard way. Come to ACORN, we'll sit down with you, go over your budget, pull your credit report and make a plan to get you back in charge of your money," said Hayden.

ACORN has this message for homeowners: If you're behind on your mortgage or about to get behind, don't hesitate and don't ignore the problem. 



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