Lois Capps: “This is a straightforward amendment to increase funding for the HUD Housing Counseling Assistance Program. As we all…”

“This is a straightforward amendment to increase funding for the HUD Housing Counseling Assistance Program. As we all know, the foreclosure crisis continues to ravage our families in many parts of the country. This is a problem in my home State of California, but also in many other States. Nevada, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and Georgia all have foreclosure rates well above the national average. There are many efforts aimed at solving this crisis, but local housing counseling agencies have proven to be among the most effective tools we have to help struggling families stay in their homes during these tough times. These local nonprofits are filled with dedicated staff who work tirelessly to help homeowners make informed decisions and stay in their homes. They provide a wide range of free counseling services, including post-purchase counseling, renter counseling, reverse mortgage counseling for senior homeowners, and counseling for homeless individuals and families seeking shelter. And they depend on Federal funding from HUD's Housing Counseling Assistance Program to provide these services. Every dollar allocated to these local organizations helps to ensure that all homeowners in financial distress may have a trusted third- party resource to turn to free of charge.…”