Governor Says Florida will Receive $11.5 Million
On December 9, 2008 Governor Charlie Crist stated that Florida will be receiving nearly $11.5 million to continue providing statewide foreclosure prevention counseling and legal assistance to homeowners in foreclosure. This boost will enable 77 counseling agencies and many legal services organizations across the state to provide foreclosure counseling for homeowners at risk or risk of foreclosure.
Governor Crist said, “We are grateful to the federal government”, “By working together, Florida and Washington, D.C., are providing the advice and counsel to help residents in the Sunshine State retain the dream of homeownership.”
The Economic Recover Act approved by congress in July 2008 will provide Florida funding for foreclosure counseling efforts. In March of 2008, Florida received nearly $1.3 million to support statewide foreclosure prevention counseling efforts. Congress appropriated $180 million to be distributed nationally through a competitive application process administered by NeighborWorks America, within guidelines defined by the federal legislation.
NeighborWorks America is an independent, congressionally chartered, non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., that provides access to homeownership and affordable rental housing. The funds that Florida received during March by NeighborWorks America enabled approximately 50 counseling agencies/organizations to provide more foreclosure counseling to at risk homeowners.
Also earlier this month Governor Crist joined representatives of the banking and mortgage lending industry to announce a voluntary agreement to provide foreclosure relief to Florida homestead property owners for 45 days, through the holidays and New Year’s. The Florida Department of Community Affairs recently submitted to the U.S.H.U.D its proposed plan for distributing $91.1 million in federal funds to smaller urban and rural communities to respond to rising foreclosures and falling home values.
For more information go to www.floridahousing.org