Congressman’s office assisted in HomeSafe GA outreach, helping nearly 700 homeowners prevent foreclosures in the Fourth Congressional District
LITHONIA, GA – June 3, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — In a May 16 letter to Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Mike Beatty reported that more people have been helped under President Obama’s “Hardest Hit Fund”– known as HomeSafe in Georgia – in the Fourth Congressional District than any other congressional district in the state.
Since 2011 more than 685 homeowners in the Fourth District have been approved for HomeSafe resulting in nearly $14 million in relief, more than any other district in Georgia.
“This is government at its best – a true partnership between federal and state offices to stem the wave of foreclosures that has had such a detrimental impact on our community,” said Rep. Johnson. “If we can help prevent even one foreclosure then it is worth our efforts. But our goal is to prevent thousands more homes from foreclosure in Georgia by 2016.”
In 2011, Georgia received $340 million from the U.S Treasury program to help unemployed or underemployed homeowners remain in their homes while they searched for new employment, but not enough was being done to get the word out to struggling homeowners.
That’s when Rep. Johnson created a partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and HUD-approved counseling agency D&E to help reach out to homeowners through community events. Congressman Johnson has held two foreclosure prevention events in the district since 2011.
“Congressman Johnson and his district staff have been extremely helpful to us,” said Beatty. “We will continue to work with Rep. Johnson and his staff in partnership to serve the people of the Fourth District.”
Following District Four, Congressional District 13 is second in helping 628 homeowners receive $12.2 million in relief, followed by District 7 with 363 homeowners and District 5 with 333.
HomeSafe temporarily helps homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own with up to 18 months of mortgage payments.
For information and eligibility requirements for the HomeSafe Georgia program, visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs HomeSafe website at homesafegeorgia.com or HUD-approved counseling agency the DE Power Group at depower.org.
