New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch today announced a new online resource aimed at helping consumers address potential mortgage problems. The site includes contact information for housing counselors and other options to assist people trying to avoid foreclosure.
"With the national recession and ongoing mortgage crisis," said Lynch, "many New Hampshire families are seeing their dreams of home ownership put at risk. In these difficult economic times, many New Hampshire families are struggling to keep their homes and are looking for help. This new Web site will help connect families with the resources they need."
Last summer, Lynch convened a working group of public and private professionals to look at ways the state can assist families and try to prevent the mortgage crisis from worsening in New Hampshire. Among the recommendations from this group was a greater public awareness campaign and one-stop resource to assist New Hampshire citizens.
"We have found that the best way to help prevent foreclosures is early intervention and education," said Dean Christon, executive director of the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. "It is vital for any homeowner who is having difficulty with their mortgage to seek assistance immediately. This new Web site provides the resources and information consumers need to get help."
Also, the New Hampshire Bankers Association and New Hampshire Credit Union Association have committed to reaching out to their members to solicit volunteers to support the housing counseling network, providing volunteer staff experienced in loan counseling and underwriting to assist these organizations in helping more clients. The governor has also signed consumer protection legislation aimed at protecting homeowners from losing their homes -- and the valuable equity they have built into their homes -- to foreclosure scams.
The New Hampshire Banking Department has conducted information sessions across the state where Department staff reviewed consumers' mortgage documents and answered questions.
