County plans foreclosure workshop

Levittown - MOUNT HOLLY - When the county last offered a mortgage foreclosure workshop for residents in August, about 70 residents showed up looking for help.

That same month there were 289 foreclosure filings in Burlington County, up 40 percent from the same time last year. The numbers show that more assistance is needed, said organizers of the Mortgage Foreclosure Forum, scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 14 at the main branch of the Burlington County Library on Pioneer Boulevard in Westampton.

"This event is specifically targeted to assist Burlington County residents who are struggling financially and trying to stay in their homes," Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart said. "Response to the first forum clearly demonstrated there is a need out there for the practical advice that's being offered."

Statewide 5,757 foreclosures were filed in August. Like Burlington County the filings statewide were 40 percent higher than in August 2008.

From Sept 1 to Sept. 11, the latest date currently available from court records, 102 foreclosure filings were made in Burlington County.

But the number of filings statewide was down 6 percent from June, when they reached a high of 6,138. While all foreclosure filings don't result in homeowners losing their properties, they are a cause for concern, officials said.

County officials hope this month's forum will assist those facing financial and credit issues that could result in foreclosure. Representatives from state, county and nonprofit agencies that specialize in financial counseling will provide homeowners with step-by-step instructions on what they can do to avert losing their homes, officials said.

There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers.

Renee Borstad, director of the county Department of Consumer Affairs, will address mortgage rescue "scams" that desperate homeowners need to avoid.

James V. Hall, assistant director of single-family programs for the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, will provide an overview of programs the state agency offers to homeowners, and Stephanie Bittner, with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley, will discuss refinance assistance and personal financial counseling.

Nina Thomas, civil division manager for the Superior Court, will address the state's foreclosure mediation program, through which court-trained mediators assist homeowners in making arrangements with their lenders.

The program has helped nearly 3,000 residents, state officials have said.

The forum is sponsored by the Burlington County Board of Freeholders and Department of Consumer Affairs in cooperation with the county library, Superior Court, Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a Cherry Hill nonprofit organization that assists homeowners in foreclosure prevention.

Contact: dcamilli@phillyBurbs.com or 609-267-7586

MORE FROM PHILLYBURBS.COM

PhillyBurbs.com Section Front

Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora returns home   Philly agency to transform meters into bike racks   NJ fire chief rescued after jumping off bridge   Poll: NJ voters favor wage freeze, layoffs   Former student sentenced for threat at Pa. college PhillyBurbs.com Section Front   Add PhillyBurbs.com headlines to your news reader: