Local governments getting the word out on foreclosure assistance.

Local governments are proactively conducting outreach campaigns to assist families that are increasingly at risk of losing their homes in the current mortgage crisis

Homeowners at risk of foreclosure are often reluctant to contact their lender or look for assistance due to embarrassment and the fear of immediately losing their homes. Outreach programs enable individuals to contact their city representatives and be connected with their lending institutions or local non-profits offering financial assistance programs.

These programs keep more homeowners in their homes, helping to minimize the damage to at-risk neighborhoods

Outreach campaigns provide information and assistance contact information from lenders and local and national nonprofit organizations,

The following are some examples of programs that can be easily replicated by more municipalities.

Baltimore

In January, the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Campaign launched an active media campaign to inform city residents facing foreclosure that help was available to them.

The message of the campaign: help is available, as long as you don't wait too long to get it. Using billboards, bus posters and newspaper ads, the coalition urged at-risk homeowners to seek help with the tagline "Mortgage late? Don't wait!" and offered a toll-free hotline to call. In addition, 30-second radio commercials urged the importance of early action by homeowners. The campaign lasted two months and cost $37,000, which was provided by local non-profits.

Detroit

With the ninth highest foreclosure rate in the country, the Detroit Ad Council began a four-week media blitz in December 2007 using public service announcements (PSA) designed in partnership with NeighborWorks America urging people to call the organizations HOPE hotline.

In the six-month period before the media blitz, the PSAs ran 75 times and, during the blitz, the PSAs ran more than 300 times. In addition, the Detroit newspapers ran advertisements, radio stations aired the spots and several billboards went up. The campaign proved successful; between November and December 2007, the calls to the HOPE hotline increased 227 percent.

Chicago

Chicago expanded its efforts to help people facing foreclosure by sponsoring a series of nine Borrower Outreach Days in 2007 and 2008. The Borrower Outreach Days were co-sponsored by the Office of the City Treasurer and conducted at Chicago Park District facilities in communities that have been hit hardest by foreclosures.

Sessions were advertised in newspapers and online news websites in both English and Spanish. Borrower Outreach Days build on Chicago's existing foreclosure program known as the Homeownership Preservation Initiative and the city's 311 call center for foreclosure information.

San Francisco

The San Francisco Assessor-Recorder's office joined with local housing and legal counseling agencies in March to promote a new outreach program to help at-risk homeowners

The Assessor-Recorder's office sends letters to homeowners shortly after a Notice of Default has been recorded. The letter provides contact information for housing counseling agencies and a legal assistance center and urges homeowners to seek help as soon as possible. Letters are sent out in English, Chinese and Spanish--the three most prevalent languages spoken in San Francisco.

Trenton, N.J.

National Homeownership Month (June) in Trenton emphasizes an aggressive approach to foreclosure prevention, with faith-based and community groups relaying information directly to residents facing foreclosure. Trenton's Mortgage Mitigation Task Force is implementing a series of activities throughout June including:

* Information Sessions focused on a "Roadmap to Resources," providing referral and support numbers to partnering organizations and nonprofits;

* Evening Workshops designed to provide one-on-one counseling and financial assistance support; and

* "Mortgage Sundays," in which faith-based leaders are invited to devote a sermon and financial ministry efforts to the ways that people can obtain help to save their homes from foreclosure.

Arlington, Texas

As the city with the highest number of foreclosures in North Texas, the city, through the director of community services' office, hopes to bring foreclosure avoidance tips directly to those most at risk. The city has put together teams that will visit homes targeted for foreclosure and hang fliers on doors with information about what owners can do. The fliers will include numbers to call for help and tips in English and Spanish.

Tips include:

* Contact your mortgage company to work out a payment program.

* Find a credit counselor approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

* Call Project Lifeline: Hope for Homeowners (888-995-HOPE)

The city expects to hang 300 to 400 fliers a month.

The most important aspect of any foreclosure assistance program is letting homeowners know that help is available, from lenders and from nonprofit organizations. The underlying message and common theme of all successful outreach campaigns is that there is help available to save homes--and there is no shame in asking for it.

After each of the previously mentioned outreach campaigns, cities and organizations reported a drastic increase in calls for information and help. These outreach efforts prove that, with proper counseling and financial assistance, most homeowners can stay in their homes while receiving help.

More information, including resources for foreclosure assistance, is located on NLC's website at www.nlc.org. Click on Topics: Housing and Community Development and the Special Topics Page on Home Mortgage Finance and Foreclosure. Or contact the Municipal Reference Service at (202) 626-3137 or mrs@nlc.org.