With Rhode Island continuing to have one of the highest rates of mortgage delinquency and foreclosures in the nation, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, in partnership with the Loan Modification Scam Alert Campaign, will host a free mortgage foreclosure prevention and loan modification workshop on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the William Hall Public Library, located at 125 Broad Street in Cranston.
The event is free and open to the public. The goal of the workshop is to provide information and assistance to homeowners who may be in jeopardy of going into foreclosure, homeowners currently in foreclosure and anyone who is interested in learning more about the state's foreclosure mediation law, as well as to educate consumers about available community resources. In addition, the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit will be available to assist anyone who has been a victim of a mortgage modification scam.
"While there are some bright spots in Rhode Island's housing market, including increased inventory and a rise in prices, which are both indicative of a recovery, foreclosures and short sales continue to plague too many homeowners," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "In the first quarter of 2014, Rhode Island ranked sixth in the country for mortgage delinquency and for the number of foreclosures started. It's important for all homeowners who are struggling to stay in their homes to know that there are programs and resources available to them at no cost, and that lenders may have increased willingness to work with them to come to a resolution that is in everyone's best interest."
On hand to assist homeowners will be HUD-certified counseling agencies including Rhode Island Housing, Housing Network of RI, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Helping Hands Community Partners and the Center for Southeast Asians.
Representatives from Rhode Island Legal Services, FNMA (Fannie Mae) will be available, and mortgage servicers Bank of America and Wells Fargo will be able to answer questions and provide information about possible mortgage modification programs, and to assist homeowners, when appropriate, in starting the process of seeking mortgage relief.
Pre-registration is not required and parking is free. To learn more about the mortgage foreclosure prevention and loan modification workshop, please contact Tammy Miller, Director of Consumer Protection for the Office of Attorney General, at 401-274-4400 ext. 2397, or visit www.riag.ri.gov. Spanish speaking representatives will be available.