Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia, along with Congressman Jim Himes, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, and Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia will join Connecticut Fair Housing Center and Homes Saved by Faith to announce the beginning of free monthly classes for Fairfield County homeowners facing foreclosure. The announcement will be on Monday, February 14, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., at Norwalk City Hall.
The first class will be held in Norwalk on Thursday, February 17, from 6-8:30 p.m., and thereafter on the third Wednesday of every month, rotating among the three cities. Mayor Moccia said “I am happy to partner with these groups and join together with Congressman Himes and Mayors Pavia and Finch to educate homeowners about the foreclosure prevention resources offered by their city, state, and federal governments. We’ll be able to do more by working together.”
Connecticut Fair Housing Center Foreclosure Prevention Attorney Jeff Gentes said “at the Center, we work with homeowners from all over Fairfield County, but we know the effects of foreclosure can be particularly devastating in city neighborhoods. These cities’ proactive efforts will be critical in limiting the effects of this continuing crisis.”
Homes Saved by Faith’s Senior Managing Director, Rev. Carl McCluster of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport, said “the outreach efforts of Homes Saved By Faith have shown that educating the community is critical to long-term success in preventing foreclosures. We’re proud to work with our elected officials and Connecticut Fair Housing Center in creating these clinics.”
Each city will lend its facilities for the classes. The classes are open to any Connecticut homeowner having mortgage difficulties, and are aimed at the approximately 90% of homeowners who are facing foreclosure but lack legal representation. Attorney Gentes will lead the class and educate homeowners on how to represent themselves in foreclosure and in mediation, and attendees will learn what federal and state resources are available to homeowners facing foreclosure. The resources include Connecticut Fair Housing Center’s Representing Yourself in Foreclosure: A Guide for Connecticut Homeowners, a complete manual for self-representation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with local volunteer attorneys to discuss their individual situation.