Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program Expands

Over the last eight years, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in many exciting initiatives aimed at proactive growth of our economy. Yet, when the economic downturn hit us the past few years, my administration was forced to find ways to stabilize our economy.

65,000 homes were foreclosed during 2009 in the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw as a result of the contraction of the economy. In response to this crises, Wayne County created the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP), an initiative designed to provide free assistance to homeowners who faced the threat of foreclosure.

Since the program’s inception in October 2008, MFPP has helped 1,500 Wayne County families, saved over 500 homes from foreclosure, and worked with another 200 homeowners in identifying a dignified exit strategy if their home could not be saved. MFPP has caught the attention of Dateline NBC, CNBC, the Nightly Business Report, WXYZ-TV and the White House. It also won an award from the National Association of Counties. I would like to recognize MFPP’s director, Jamele Hage, who has worked hard behind the scenes, along with her staff, in building partnerships with service agencies and lenders. I would also like to recognize the support of the Wayne County Commission, without which this program could never have taken flight.

A few weeks ago, the United Way of Southeast Michigan, in collaboration with the Southeast Michigan Regional Foreclosure Intervention and Neighborhood Stabilization Collaborative (FINSC) and Wayne County, rolled-out an online regional web portal to address mortgage foreclosures on a regional level. The technology of the web portal was designed by Wayne County’s Department of Technology, and will act as a one-stop-shop for mortgage help in Southeast Michigan. Additionally, the United Way and its partners announced the expansion of its 2-1-1 information and referral service to link homeowners with vital services related to saving homes from foreclosure.

When Wayne County was approached by our friends at the United Way to share our software in address the regional foreclosure crisis, we didn’t hesitate. I often remind people when Wall Street considers a particular government’s bond rating, it also takes into consideration the economic health of the entire region. That is why it is important that our region develops solutions that all governments can plug into. I am confident that the regional community will benefit from this newly expanded service. Along with diversifying our economy and attracting new businesses, we hope that the foreclosure crisis will end soon, but in the meantime, we must work as a region to address our common economic challenges.

If you are facing foreclosure in Wayne County, go to www.fightmortgageforeclosure.com or call 2-1-1.

Robert A. Ficano is Wayne County’s Chief Executive Officer