02/19/09: PLEASE Help Stop Foreclosures in Kent County
Foreclosure Response is a non-profit project connecting residents with community resources and advocating for change to stop foreclosures in Kent County.
Foreclosure rates have been increasing at an alarming rate. Since2004, there have been approximately 5,500 foreclosures in the City of Grand Rapids and another 5,500 in the remaining areas of Kent County.
The latest data reveals that every day 10 homeowners are losing their homes to foreclosure -that’s 10 homes every day, 7 days a week.
In addition to people losing their homes, foreclosures reduce property values and our tax base needed for city and county services and programs, like fire, police, road repair and community health. They also increase neighborhood blight and crime.
You can help.
It is critical at this point to make sure Kent County residents know how to get FREE, legitimate help, with messages like:
If you have missed even one mortgage payment
SEEK HELP NOW - those acting sooner rather than later have a much higher success rate
Contact Home Repair Services, a non-profit organization, at (616)241-2601.
Their housing specialists provide FREE assistance to help homeowners work with lenders for a positive outcome. Home Repair Services also link homeowners with other organizations that can assist them.
Families in danger of foreclosure have a much better chance of saving their home if they act quickly and receive help from a trained housing specialist. Homeowners need to avoid scams but they CAN trust our nonprofit organizations that offer free help.
There are also educational materials that you can help disseminate.
Foreclosure Response has 8 ½” x 11” posters and small 2-sided cards that can be handed out. There are speakers available for briefings and Q & A as well.
Foreclosure Response has pre-written messages that can be sent out electronically or to utilize in email messages, listservs, newsletters and websites.
Our very informative website is www.ForeclosureResponse.org.
Renters who believe they are being evicted unfairly due to foreclosure of their building should call Legal Aid of West Michigan at (616)774-0672.
Please help with this community-wide response. Contact Foreclosure Response Coordinator Kym Spring at (616)401.0680 / ForeclosureResponse@gmail.com