Rep. Johnson leads fight in connecting struggling homeowners with HomeSafe Georgia program

LITHONIA, GA – May 15, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that there are now more ways to qualify for HomeSafe Georgia, which helps homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own with up to two years of mortgage payments.

Not only has the assistance expanded from 18 to 24 months, but homeowners who have suffered a medical hardship, a death in the family or a military hardship may qualify for assistance.

“I’m proud of our office’s work with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) – which runs HomeSafe GA – to get the word out about the program and help get DCA’s Fourth District outreach off the ground. It’s resulted in more than $18 million in relief, more than any other congressional district in Georgia.”

Since 2009, Rep. Johnson’s office has helped more than 1,700 residents deal with pending foreclosures of their homes. Since 2011, nearly 1,000 homeowners in the Fourth District have been approved for HomeSafe Georgia.

“Helping homeowners avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes is important to families and communities,” said Carmen Chubb, Deputy Commissioner for Housing at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. “By expanding the pool of eligible applicants and continuing to work closely with mortgage servicers, our goal is to help even more Georgia citizens avoid foreclosure.”

HomeSafe is designed to provide temporary assistance to Georgia homeowners who are able and willing to work but have suffered a substantial income loss due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment.

In 2011, Georgia received $340 million from President Obama’s “Hardest Hit Fund”– known as HomeSafe in Georgia – to help unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosures. Johnson said at the time not enough was being done to get the word out and to get the funds where they are needed most.

“I want everyone, regardless of their situation, to understand how to save their home from foreclosure,” Johnson said. “That is our mission and our goal. Don’t give up – see this process through. We want everyone to have access to the help they need to stay in their homes.”

For more information on HomeSafe Georgia, visit HANKJOHNSON.HOUSE.GOV or HOMESAFEGEORGIA.COM.