Operation Protect Your Home in New York

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In late February, HUD’s New York Regional Office participated in two homeownership conferences sponsored by the Superintendent of New York State Banking and the New York State Senate. The conferences, first held in the Bronx and then Staten Island, sought to provide troubled homeowners with information and assistance regarding the sub-prime market.

The events, entitled “Operation Protect Your Home,” were free and included workshops on the home buying process, avoiding foreclosure, and guarding against predatory sales and lending practices. The conferences aimed to assist borrowers who are struggling with mortgage payments or who are at risk of defaulting on their mortgage.

Photo of attendees at Operation Protect Your Home conference at the College of Staten Island, NY

New York State Senators Ruben Diaz, Efrain Gonzalez, and Eric Schneiderman, Assemblyman Jeffrey Klein, and Congressman Jose Serrano hosted the Bronx conference on Saturday, February 23, which attracted over 200 Bronx residents. Forty-five attendees received direct counseling on HUD’s Loss Mitigation Program and how to avoid foreclosure.

New York State Senator Diane Savino hosted the Staten Island conference at the College of Staten Island on Sunday, February 24. Over 300 attendees learned about the home buying process and potential ways to avoid foreclosure. Sixty borrowers were also provided with direct counseling on HUD’s Loss Mitigation Program and ways to avoid foreclosure. The Staten Island conference also attracted State Senator Andrew Lanza and Assemblyman Jeff Klein, as well as representatives from the New York State Banking Department and the New York City Comptroller's Office.

Participating lenders included Carrington Mortgage Services, Chase, Citigroup, EMC Mortgages, Home Loan Services, Home Eq, HSBC Finance, Litton Loans, Ocwen Financial, Option One Mortgages, GMAC, Saxon, Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo, and Wilshire.

Participating counseling institutions included Neighborhood Housing Services, NeighborWorks, NEDAP (Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project), ACORN, Hope Alliance, and the New York City Commission on Human Rights. In addition, a number of non-profit organizations provided free legal advice.

Manuel Alvarado and Henry Comas, HUD Operations Specialists, provided attendees with information about FHA Secure and HUD's Loss Mitigation Program.